A scandal involving Major League Baseball's biggest star players opens the 2024 season as one of the league's most storied teams and its new $700 million sensation is embroiled in the biggest baseball gambling scandal in generations. casting a shadow.
Ippei Mizuhara, an interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was fired earlier this week after it was revealed that he was placing bets with illegal bookmakers in California, where gambling remains illegal. Mizuhara initially told ESPN that Ohtani had intervened to pay off gambling debts with the bookmaker, which is under federal investigation, and that Ohtani had transferred at least $4.5 million to the bookmaker, but this A spokesperson for Ohtani also confirmed this. Ohtani's spokesperson later changed his story, and the law firm representing him claimed he was the victim of “grand theft.”
Illegal sports betting has caused problems for the league in the past, including scandals involving people around some of the world's biggest stars. Last year, it was revealed that LeBron James' business partner was a customer of a bookmaker under federal investigation and had been betting on NBA games.
But as in this episode, Ohtani's financial involvement kept James from falling into the trap. This has raised questions about MLB's gambling rules and the league's boundaries for players and team employees. Even if this new scenario raises other answers, sports' collective bargaining agreements spell out some of those answers.
Can MLB players bet?
Yes and no. Players cannot bet on baseball. CBA answers this point thoroughly, as if it wasn't already obvious. Exhibit 60 of the CBA details MLB's sports betting policy, and its first prohibition is “no gambling on baseball.”
Players cannot bet on MLB games. Players cannot bet on minor league games. You cannot bet on youth games, high school games, college or international games. They cannot bet on skills competitions, home run derbies, etc. You cannot bet on the outcome of events during the game, such as at-bats, specific pitches, innings, etc. If it involves baseball, you can't bet on it. Players also may not place bets on baseball on their own behalf or “help” others place bets.
They can't play Fantasy Baseball or Daily Fantasy Baseball where there are prizes at stake or anything “of value” to win. They cannot help people “participating in such games” or arrange for someone to play in their place.
One player said he was told even betting on softball was off the table. It's so close to baseball that it's probably better to be safe than sorry. That's not in the actual rules. But because of the overlap between these sports, gambling rules, a staple of spring training each year, are verbally mentioned during meetings. At that time, MLB officials will go around the clubhouse explaining what activities are allowed and what activities are prohibited.
“The league came here early (in the spring) and talked about the rules,” Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday. “And we know them.”
Can MLB players bet on March Madness pools or participate in fantasy football leagues?
Yes, they can do that as long as the bet is legal and baseball is not involved. As March Madness begins Thursday, TVs in clubhouses from Florida State to Arizona are tuned to the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, with players openly discussing their standings. There was no problem at all. Players can bet on the English Premier League, NBA, or Quidditch as long as it is legal under relevant state law. And it makes no difference to the amount you bet, even if it's in the millions. CBA says:
Major League Baseball Players may place legal bets on baseball games and non-baseball sporting events in jurisdictions where such bets are legal, provided that the bettor is eligible to place the bet under applicable law. You can place bets on Similarly, major league players may participate in legal fantasy games related to sports other than baseball for prizes or other things of value.
However, players can also bet on other sports. As long as the bet is legal.
“We all understand the rules,” Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brent Suter said. “They explain things well and keep us informed.”
Can MLB players bet with bookmakers?
No, any sport is fine. Players may not place “illegal bets on any sport or event, including placing bets with illegal bookmakers or illegal foreign sports betting websites or applications.” Therefore, you cannot place bets in states where it is still illegal, like California.
Can employees of MLB teams bet?
They can't bet on baseball, that's for sure. Rule 21(d)(1) provides that if a league or team official or employee bets on a baseball game in which he or she is not involved, or more formally, “a baseball game in which the bettor has a wager; If you bet on a match, you will be declared ineligible for one year.” Obligation to fulfill. ” Rule 21(d)(2) provides that if you bet on a baseball game involving the same employee or official, you will be banned for life. That seems to leave room for betting on sports other than baseball. Or at least the rules don't explicitly say league and team employees can't bet on sports other than baseball.
Unless those bets are made illegally. Rule 21(d)(3) is clear on this point. “Any player, referee, club or league official or employee who places a bet with an illegal bookmaker or an agent of an illegal bookmaker shall be subject to such penalties as the Commissioner deems appropriate.'' Illegal Bookmakers If you work for a manufacturer or are an illegal bookmaker, you will be banned for at least one year.
And just in case there is any confusion or someone tries to claim ignorance, MLB has this rule posted in every clubhouse across the country.
How does MLB know if someone is placing a bet?
good question. Of course, it's difficult to figure out if someone is betting with an illegal bookmaker. However, other sports have systems in place to notify leagues, team employees, and players when they place a bet at a legal sportsbook. The NFL suspended Calvin Ridley after it was discovered he was betting on football. Your bet has been flagged This is from one of our betting partners. The NBA receives notifications from Sportradar, Global Data's distributors, and other authorized game operator partners when a player or official places a bet. An MLB spokesperson said the league has a similar system in place. League-licensed gaming operators are required to notify MLB if they become aware of a baseball player or employee placing a bet in violation of sports betting policies. Sportradar and US Integrity also offer his services for MLB.
Can you afford it?
Even if it exists, Major League Baseball tries to cover up the gray area in the second half of Rule 21. Section F seeks to cover all other possible wrongdoings in this comprehensive provision.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed to exclusively define or limit any conduct, transaction, practice or conduct that is not in the best interests of baseball. All other acts, transactions, practices, or conduct that are not in the best interests of baseball are prohibited and shall be subject to penalties, up to and including permanent disqualification, to the extent the facts of the particular case warrant. Masu.
This is a broad clause that covers a lot of things, even if they aren't explicitly written into Major League Baseball's rules or the CBA. This would eliminate any illegal association with betting by a player and expose him to disciplinary action from the Commissioner, even if the player did not place the bet himself.
Have there been any other gambling incidents in baseball recently?
Jared Cossert was with the Padres in 2016. (Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
Jared Cossart was fined nine years ago for betting on illegal bookmakers, although it wasn't on baseball. It all started with a leaked DM between Cossart, then a pitcher for the Miami Marlins, and a Twitter gambling expert. MLB announced that an investigation determined that Cossart did not bet on baseball.
Former minor league pitcher Peter Beyer was suspended in 2021 for baseball gambling. According to a league investigation, Beyer placed more than 100 bets on baseball, including at least 12 on his team, the Oakland Athletics, that season. Beyer said he made the bets through a legal sportsbook. Bayer remained inactive for the 2023 season.
Are there other gambling-related activities that could get a player in trouble with the Commissioner's Office?
There are several. MLB doesn't even want to appear inappropriate when it comes to its sports, especially those that might arise in connection with gambling. Players are not allowed to fix matches in baseball, but if they do not immediately report that they have received a request for match-fixing, they will be in violation of the rules against match-fixing.
Players are also prohibited from disclosing what the CBA calls “confidential information” to anyone the player knows will “use such confidential information in connection with the betting markets.” Such information includes “player health, rosters, lineups, trades, discipline, officiating,” etc.
— The AthleticC. Trent Rosecrans and Chad Jennings contributed to this report.
(Top photo of Otani and Suwon: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images)
