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3w ago

Ohio Regulators Plan Ban on Player-Specific First-Pitch Wagers

Ohio regulators are drafting a rule to prohibit player-specific in-game wagers to protect baseball’s integrity during a confidential MLB betting investigation

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Aug 6, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards first round pick Tre Johnson throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Athletics at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Ohio Casino Control Commission, at Gov. Mike DeWine’s request, is drafting a rule to ban microbets on events controlled by a single player, including first-pitch wagers, pending commission and legislative approval.
  • Major League Baseball placed Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase on non-disciplinary paid leave on July 3 and July 28 after integrity monitors detected unusual spikes in first-pitch betting activity.
  • Commissioner Rob Manfred described individual-pitch bets as “unnecessary and particularly vulnerable” and is engaging regulators on broader live-betting restrictions.
  • The American Gaming Association argues that prohibition would drive bets to illegal operators and recommends athlete education and legal-market monitoring to safeguard integrity.
  • Offshore books such as BetOnline.ag generally avoid offering first-pitch markets due to exploitable vulnerabilities exploited by betting syndicates.