Prominent Sportsbooks Limit MLB Prop Bets After League Agreement

Major League Baseball just took a big swing to protect the integrity of the game after a pretty wild gambling scandal involving two Cleveland Guardians pitchers. In what could shake up the whole sports world, MLB and major U.S. sportsbooks have agreed to seriously restrict prop bets on individual pitches.

This new rule comes straight from the fallout of federal indictments. Prosecutors allege that Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz teamed up with pro gamblers to rig game outcomes for cash.

MLB Clamps Down on Risky Prop Bets

Under the agreement, you can’t bet more than $200 on any single pitch prop. Even bigger, sportsbooks have pulled these pitch bets out of parlay options, so you can’t stack them up for bigger payouts anymore.

Why MLB is Taking This Step

League insiders say they’re closing loopholes that micro-prop betting opens up. Commissioner Rob Manfred says it’s all about protecting the sport and making it harder for anyone to mess with outcomes.

The Scandal That Sparked Change

This all follows some explosive accusations against Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. Federal prosecutors say these guys worked with gamblers to tip off or change pitches, letting insiders cash in.

Legal Trouble for the Guardians Pitchers

The government charged both pitchers with wire fraud and conspiracy to influence sporting events. Cops arrested Luis Ortiz in Boston, but Emmanuel Clase is still missing. If they’re found guilty, they could get lifetime bans from MLB and spend up to 65 years in federal prison.

That’s a hefty price for breaking the rules, and it shows the league and feds aren’t messing around.

Political and Industry Reaction

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who’s long been against micro-prop betting, had good things to say about MLB’s move. He’s already pushed state regulators to crack down on these kinds of bets, calling them risky for everyone involved.

DeWine thinks the league just set a new standard for other pro sports to follow.

Cooperation from the Betting Industry

MLB’s top betting partners, DraftKings and FanDuel, have agreed to update their baseball betting menus to fit the new rules. This shows the gambling industry is starting to get that the game’s reputation has to come first—even if it means less profit sometimes.

Why Limiting Micro-Prop Bets Matters

Micro-prop bets—those tiny wagers on super specific in-game moments—bring their own headaches. They’re easy targets for cheating, since one player can change the outcome without messing up the game’s final score.

The Integrity Priority

MLB keeps saying that protecting the game’s integrity is their top job. By capping these micro-prop bets and banning them from parlays, the league’s cutting off a weak spot that could erode fan trust.

The Road Ahead for Baseball and Betting

This agreement marks a pretty big step forward. Still, it’s just one piece of an ongoing battle against gambling-related issues in pro sports.

MLB, regulators, and sportsbooks keep working together. If they think it’s necessary, they’ll probably add more rules down the line.

For fans, there’s a clear takeaway: sports betting might be everywhere now, but you’ve got to approach it with some caution. The league wants to make it obvious—fair play cannot be compromised.

With these new limits, baseball’s trying to let betting markets grow without letting scandals creep in. After the Guardians case, MLB’s message rings out for every league: The integrity of the game is non-negotiable.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Prominent sportsbooks to place limit on prop bets after agreement with MLB