Baseball Betting: A New Rule to Keep the Game Clean

Major League Baseball (MLB) and major sports betting companies have reached an agreement to limit bets on individual pitches to $200 nationwide. Additionally, they have decided to exclude these bets from parlays to deter cheating.

The Backstory

The agreement comes after a series of unusual betting activities were noticed in June, particularly involving Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians. Following this, MLB engaged in discussions with sportsbooks to revise betting rules.

Federal Involvement

On Sunday, federal prosecutors revealed that Ortiz and another player, Emmanuel Clase, were part of a gambling scheme. The scheme involved betting on whether pitches would be balls or strikes and the speed of pitches. According to prosecutors, gamblers won approximately $450,000 from this scheme.

MLB's Stance

MLB believes the new rule will discourage cheating. Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, stated that they have been collaborating with sportsbooks for seven years to maintain fairness in the game.

Governor's Response

Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, supported the new rule. He had previously called for a ban on small bets after MLB investigated the suspicious betting activity. He believes the new rule is a positive step in protecting the integrity of the game.

Sports Betting Companies' Reaction

Two major sports betting companies, DraftKings and FanDuel, have agreed to the changes. They will adjust their betting menus and believe that the legal betting market can help prevent misconduct.

Christian Genetski, the president of FanDuel, emphasized their commitment to working with sports leagues to eliminate corruption and ensure fair play.