MLB commissioner Rob Manfred addresses league's stance on gambling amid integrity concerns

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred reaffirmed the league's stance on gambling during the 2024 Associated Press Sports Editors Commissioners Meetings on Monday, emphasizing efforts to maintain integrity amid the boom of legalized sports betting.

Addressing concerns raised in the wake of the Shohei Ohtani interpreter scandal, in which Ippei Mizuhara has been accused of stealing millions of dollars from the baseball superstar to illegally gamble on sports, Manfred underscored the league's proactive approach to safeguarding against potential compromises. He particularly highlighted the monitoring and data resources utilized by MLB's integrity program.

Manfred also addressed prop bets, where bettors can wager on individual outcomes from specific events, like an at-bat, where it might be easier for an individual player to be compromised. For example, if you bet on a hitter to strike out at least twice in a game, he could, in theory, rather easily strike out twice on purpose. 

"We've been on prop bets from the very beginning," Manfred stated, as reported by CBS Sports. "When we lobby in states, there's always certain types of bets that we have lobbied against. I mean, the first pitch of the game, we really don't want that available as a prop bet."

Referring to the Ohtani scandal, Manfred clarified that while there have been incidents implicating personnel close to players, MLB has not encountered direct player involvement in illegal gambling activities. He credited the league's integrity and compliance measures for mitigating risks and promptly addressing any breaches.

Since the landmark Supreme Court decision in Murphy vs. National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2018, which paved the way for legalized sports betting, MLB has navigated the evolving landscape while advocating for regulatory frameworks that prioritize the integrity of the sport.

Manfred acknowledged the challenges posed by the proliferation of gambling but emphasized the benefits of legalization in enhancing oversight and accountability. However, he offered a curious quote that was picked up by US media: "We were kind of dragged into legalized sports betting as a litigant in a case that ended up in the Supreme Court," he said with a laugh.

Despite initial reservations, he recognized the advantages of legalized gambling in facilitating effective monitoring and reducing the prevalence of illicit activities. "We find ourselves in this world and you can make an argument from an integrity perspective we're in a better position," ha added.