MLB Responds to Pitch Rigging Scandal with Betting Limits
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In response to a serious scandal involving allegations of pitch rigging, Major League Baseball has announced new betting regulations aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the game. This decision comes in light of recent indictments against Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, who are accused of taking bribes to manipulate pitch outcomes for gamblers.
Ortiz was arrested at Boston Logan International Airport and released on a $500,000 bond with specific travel restrictions and conditions to avoid contact with potential witnesses, victims, or co-defendants, as reported by The Guardian US.
The indictment details that Ortiz and Clase allegedly took payoffs totaling several thousand dollars to assist gamblers in winning substantial sums on bets related to pitch outcomes, including pitch speed and type, leading to at least $460,000 in winnings for the bettors involved.
According to Syracuse.com, MLB's new regulations will limit wagers on individual pitch outcomes to $200 and will prohibit these bets from being included in parlay wagers. The league has stated that these pitch-level bets present heightened integrity risks due to their dependence on the actions of a single player, which can affect the outcome of the bets independently of the overall game result.
This move was agreed upon by sportsbook operators representing over 98% of the U.S. betting market, including major platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars, as outlined in CDC Gaming Reports. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized the league's commitment to protecting the integrity of the game, stating that since the Supreme Court's decision in 2018, MLB has worked diligently with industry stakeholders to address the challenges posed by legalized sports betting.
Meanwhile, both Ortiz's and Clase's legal representatives maintain their clients' innocence, asserting that they have never engaged in actions to improperly influence games. Ortiz's lawyer stated that the payments involved were for legal activities and not for misconduct, while Clase's attorney highlighted his commitment to the sport and his plans to clear his name.
The charges they face include wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, with potential penalties reaching up to 65 years in prison if convicted, according to Deadspin.
This incident is part of a broader concern regarding the intersection of sports and gambling, a topic that has seen increased scrutiny following several recent scandals in different sports leagues, including a major crackdown in the NBA that resulted in the arrests of over 30 individuals, including notable players and coaches.
As MLB takes a strong stance on this issue, the league hopes to restore public trust and ensure that the integrity of America's pastime remains intact.