Betting markets for Alabama's baseball games remain unaccessible due to their impending Super Regionals competition.
In the world of college baseball, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is currently investigating suspicious sports wagering activity involving the University of Alabama. This investigation follows a pattern of concern about integrity issues in sports wagering within the state, including past cases involving the University of Alabama baseball program.
The OCCC halted all bets on the University of Alabama baseball after a betting integrity monitor reported suspicious wagering. The NCAA investigation found that Alabama's former head baseball coach Brad Bohannon provided inside information to a bettor, who then attempted to place a very large $100,000 bet. Bohannon was fired in connection with this scandal.
Meanwhile, the OCCC is also reviewing a ban on microbets, which are bets on highly specific in-game events controlled by individual players, such as the first pitch in baseball. This review was prompted by an ongoing investigation involving Ohio's Cleveland Guardians pitchers. Governor Mike DeWine has called for the removal of all prop bets focused on player-specific in-game actions from the list of legal wagers in Ohio.
In the ongoing NCAA Tournament, the University of Alabama is one of 16 Division I baseball teams still alive. They are set to face LSU in the Super Regional, a series that has seen its odds shift due to the ongoing investigation. LSU has the third-best title odds on FanDuel at +600.
Meanwhile, other teams are making their way through the tournament. Tennessee, with the second-best title odds on FanDuel at +550, is favored to advance against Southern Miss (-176). Tennessee finished 17th in wRC+ and second in FIP, making them one of the most well-rounded teams in the country. Doug Ziefel, a baseball contributor with Action Network, believes they have a good chance of winning the title.
Another team to watch is Oral Roberts, who finished 11th national in wRC+. Ziefel thinks they could upset Oregon in their Super Regional series. Oregon has been hit hard with injuries to their rotation, which could impact their chances.
The Crimson Tide's Super Regional series against No. 1 overall seed Wake Forest will be broadcast on ESPN, starting Saturday at noon ET. Wake Forest is the national title favorite across most sports betting platforms, with FanDuel giving them +340 odds to win the College World Series and DraftKings listing their title odds at +380.
As the tournament progresses, several states including Pennsylvania and New Jersey have removed Alabama markets from their platforms, joining a growing list of mobile sportsbooks that have done the same. Customers using major mobile sportsbooks like Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel won't be able to wager on the games due to the scandal this season.
The OCCC has yet to complete its investigation into the Alabama baseball situation. The Commission's executive director confirmed they are reviewing these microbets and intend to draft rules to limit or ban some player-specific propositions. However, any changes must be approved by both the Commission and Ohio legislature before going into effect.
This reflects an intensified effort in Ohio to protect sports integrity amid growing concerns about how microbets can be exploited. The OCCC's active role in monitoring and intervening in suspicious sports betting activity involving college baseball serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game.
- Despite the ongoing investigation into suspicious sports wagering activity at the University of Alabama, the team is still competing in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is currently reviewing a ban on microbets in college baseball, which include bets on player-specific in-game events.
- In the Super Regional, the University of Alabama is set to face LSU, and the odds for the series have shifted due to the ongoing investigation.
- As a result of the Alabama baseball scandal, several states have removed their Alabama markets from mobile sports betting platforms, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
