Fastball

One United States Politician is Seeking to Change Sports Betting as Result of Guardians Scandal

Luis L. Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase are involved in a sports betting investigation, and Mike DeWine is trying to change the way that gambling works.
Brady Farkas|
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 6.
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 6. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

In this story:

Cleveland GuardiansSeattle MarinersChicago White SoxTampa Bay Rays

According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Ohio governor Mike DeWine is working to change the way sports gambling works in the country. This comes in the wake of Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase being investigated for his role in a sports betting situation, and that follows teammate Luis L. Ortiz also being investigated.

DeWine is asking leagues to consider a ban on prop betting.

“The evidence that prop betting is harming athletics in Ohio is reaching critical mass,” DeWine said in a statement. “First, there were threats on Ohio athletes, and now two high-profile Ohio professional athletes have been suspended by Major League Baseball as part of a ‘sports betting investigation.’ The harm to athletes and the integrity of the game is clear, and the benefits are not worth the harm. The prop betting experiment in this country has failed badly."

We also saw NBA player Jontay Porter, who had been playing with the Toronto Raptors, banned for life over his role in a prop-betting situation.

As gambling has become legalized in most states, and as the leagues have embraced the revenue generated from gambling companies, the lines have certainly been blurred, causing issues for players and leagues.

While gambling on your own sport is illegal, some will argue that the constant exposure to gambling is bound to trip up at least a handful of players and thus far, it has.

It will be interesting to see how DeWine's proposal develops and how it is received by the leagues themselves, who need to balance integrity of the games with the revenue generated.

Related MLB Stories

BIG IMPACT? The Astros reacquired Carlos Correa on Thursday, but will it make the impact that fans think it will? CLICK HERE:

MOVIN' ON UP: Giancarlo Stanton hit the 438th home run of his career on Friday, tying Hall of Famer Andre Dawson on the all-time list. CLICK HERE:

DEATH OF A LEGEND: Ryne Sandberg, the Baseball Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 65 this week. CLICK HERE:

Published
Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

Home/News