Ohio regulators drafting ban on microbets, including MLB first pitches, amid Guardians gambling investigation
Matt Schuler, the executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), told Purdum that the organization is reviewing the types of microbets currently allowed in the state. If drafted, the rule would likely take a while to go through, and would have to be approved by the Commission and the Ohio legislature before taking effect.
Ortiz, who was placed on leave at the beginning of July 3, had two pitches from June flagged after a large amount was placed on microbets related to the start pitch of the inning. Both of the suspicious pitches took place on the first pitch of the inning, and both pitches were significantly outside the strike zone.
The review is being done at the request of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who sent out a a news release on July 31 that called on the OCCC to remove certain types of bets. DeWine's primary issue was with micro prop bets, which he called "highly specific events within games that are completely controlled by one player."
"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," DeWine said in the release.
For the investigation into Ortiz, there were two specific pitches flagged, with one on June 15 and another on June 27. In both incidents, an unusual amount of money was placed on Ortiz either throwing a ball or hitting a batter on the first pitch of the inning, with both pitches hitting the dirt well outside the zone.
Per Purdum, MLB has been having ongoing conversations about how to approach microbets. During the MLB All-Star break, league commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters that he considers some bets "unnecssary and particularly vulnerable."
Clase was placed on leave on July 28 in connection with a sports betting investigation, though the exact nature of that connection is still unknown. Ortiz was originally set to return from leave on July 17, before it was extended to Aug. 31, the same as Clase. Both players have had their lockers cleared by the team in the meantime.
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