Ohio contemplates prohibiting initial wagers in response to Cleveland Guardians' gambling scrutiny
Microbets on MLB First Pitches Under Scrutiny in Ohio
Ohio gambling regulators are drafting a rule to ban certain microbets, including bets on first pitches in MLB games, due to an ongoing investigation involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) is leading the investigation, which was prompted by the MLB placing Guardians pitchers Ortiz and Clase on leave due to a league gambling investigation. The draft rule targets "specific events within games that are completely controlled by one player," such as first-pitch wagers[1][2][4].
The investigation revealed suspicious betting patterns on Ortiz’s first pitches that were deliberately outside the strike zone, triggering alarms amid unusual betting activity[1][4]. The connection of Clase to the investigation is currently unclear.
Major League Baseball is also actively discussing how to address microbets, with Commissioner Rob Manfred expressing concerns about certain individual in-game wagers like first-pitch bets being "unnecessary and particularly vulnerable" to manipulation[2].
Both Ortiz and Clase remain on paid administrative leave through August 31 pending the investigation related to allegations that they threw uncompetitive pitches to influence microbets on first pitches and pitch speed markets[3][4]. The team announced last week that no other players or club personnel are expected to be affected by the investigation.
The Guardians removed the lockers of both pitchers Ortiz and Clase late last month[3]. The draft rule is still in the internal review stage and would need approval from both the OCCC and the Ohio legislature before it can be implemented, so the ban is not yet official but imminent[1][2][3].
Governor Mike DeWine called for a ban on some types of player-specific prop bets in July, stating that the harm to athletes and the integrity of the game is clear, and the benefits are not worth the harm[5]. This crackdown in Ohio is part of a broader concern about microbetting’s potential for spot-fixing, given its fast growth and ease of manipulation, with projected industry revenue over $1 billion in 2025[5].
Table:
| Aspect | Current Status | |-------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Microbets on MLB first pitches | Draft rule being prepared to ban them in Ohio | | Regulatory body | Ohio Casino Control Commission | | Legislative approval | Required before ban takes effect | | MLB position | Concerned, ongoing discussions about microbet risks| | Guardians pitchers involved | Luis Ortiz, Emmanuel Clase on paid administrative leave due to investigation | | Investigation status | Ongoing, with suspicious betting patterns on Ortiz’s pitches revealed | | Clase’s involvement | Current involvement unclear | | Lockers removal | Guardians removed lockers of both pitchers late last month |
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is considering a draft rule to prohibit bets on first pitches in MLB games, due to an ongoing investigation involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase. Major League Baseball is also discussing ways to address microbets, as Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed concerns about their vulnerability to manipulation.
