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Major League Baseball wants to crack down on micro prop bets—those wagers where people bet on tiny moments in a game—because of growing worries about cheating and game-fixing.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is working with other big sports leagues to push for a national ban on these bets. They’re aiming for a rule that covers all 50 states. DeWine revealed that the league is already finalizing agreements with most major sportsbook operators to remove these markets from baseball betting options.
Governor DeWine: Micro Props Pose “Integrity Risks”
Micro prop bets let gamblers put money on things like whether the first pitch will be a strike or how many hitters a pitcher gets out in an inning. Governor DeWine argues these bets are risky because they focus on what individual players do, not how the team performs.
He’s concerned this type of betting makes it easier for players to get involved in shady deals or for insiders to take advantage of their access. “This kind of wagering directly challenges the integrity of the game,” DeWine said. He thinks new rules need to roll out quickly—and that everyone needs to get on the same page.
DeWine wants a nationwide fix, but he says Ohio isn’t going to sit around if nothing happens at the federal level. “We would prefer a national standard, but we won’t wait forever if it doesn’t come,” he said.
This isn’t just an MLB problem. Pro sports leagues everywhere are under the microscope lately when it comes to betting. Federal investigators just uncovered an illegal betting ring involving people tied to the NBA, which has sparked more debate about where legal betting should stop—especially when it threatens fair competition.
In Ohio, the conversation heated up after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were briefly sidelined earlier this year over reports of suspicious betting. They didn’t break any rules, but the scare brought up old worries about bets that focus on individual players—and the trouble that can follow.
DeWine has long been an advocate for responsible betting. In 2024, he supported a successful ban on player-specific wagers in college sports, following reports of harassment and threats against student-athletes. The measure was implemented by the Ohio Casino Control Commission in coordination with the NCAA.
Next Steps in Ohio
To extend similar restrictions to professional sports, Ohio’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review would need to evaluate the proposal. However, DeWine noted that if leagues such as MLB request it directly, the Commission could fast-track the process.
Calling micro prop bets a “growing weak spot” in sports betting, DeWine urged regulators and leagues to prioritize integrity over short-term revenue. “Protecting the fairness of competition must come before chasing betting dollars,” he concluded.
Source: Gambling News
