The Major League Baseball Players Association is pushing to eliminate prop bets tied to individual player performance, arguing the wagers have created a connection between gamblers and athletes that often crosses into harassment. The proposal was born out of ongoing negotiations with the league for the next collective bargaining agreement, adding another layer to already high-stakes discussions.
Player-Specific Props Can Cause Significant Issues
Player complaints mainly focus on bets targeting specific events in a game, such as the number of strikeouts a pitcher will throw, whether a batter hits a home run, or the outcome of a single pitch. These offerings have become a staple for many sportsbooks due to their high user engagement. But for players, they often lead to messages on social media and even threats from bettors reacting to lost wagers.
Union officials think that taking those markets away would ease some of that pressure. They recommend a joint effort with the league to lobby regulators and betting companies to eliminate player-specific props. That request also covers daily fantasy games and new prediction platforms focusing on individual performances.
The timing is not accidental as the MLB remains rocked by integrity concerns. Last year, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were accused of odd betting activity during their games. Their actions defied expectations and odds, leading to a high-profile investigation. The two pitchers have been suspended indefinitely. If convicted, they could face severe penalties, including possible lifetime bans.
Current Efforts May Not Be Enough
Major League Baseball has already taken steps to combat some of the negative effects of gambling. The league has collaborated with sportsbooks to restrict certain micro-bets and remove some types of wagers from multi-bet combinations. According to MLB officials, these updates aim to mitigate the risks that come with gambling while maintaining the major revenue stream tied to legalized betting.
The union is also seeking clear information on what players can do within the betting ecosystem. Current rules prohibit the use of player likeness in gaming advertising. However, the growth of legal gambling has blurred some of those lines. Representatives want clearer standards that better reflect the current economic environment while keeping existing safeguards intact.
However, not everybody believes that a blanket ban is the best solution. Prop bets make up a significant proportion of overall wagering, and operators argue they help keep fans engaged. They believe that removing such wagers would simply push bettors toward unregulated markets that offer fewer protections and less transparency. The final decision would depend on whether the MLB would be willing to accept such trade-offs.