In March, the MLB announced a milestone partnership with prediction platform Polymarket, opening the door for fans across the USA to wager on their favorite teams. However, many fear that this increased exposure to bettors may also fuel a spike in gambling-related threats. Recent reports indicate that once isolated outbursts have evolved into a constant, looming threat.
Athletes Face Rising Harassment
The proliferation of sports betting throughout the United States has created an ecosystem around microbets and prediction markets. These types of wagers focus on specific in-game moments. They have proven extremely popular among fans, as they allow them to engage with every second of a game. However, such bets often draw unwelcome attention toward individual players.
Many baseball players report that their social media profiles are flooded with accusations, demands, or even death threats from disgruntled bettors. Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff recently noted that deeper connections between sports and wagering could distract athletes, bring added pressure, and even pose significant security risks.
The MLB has leaned heavily into partnerships with sportsbooks and prediction platforms. The deal with Polymarket has been especially contentious due to fairness and integrity concerns, as many fear the platform lacks the same protections as traditional sportsbooks. While this strategy has bolstered the sport’s popularity and boosted revenues, many are wondering if the trade-offs are worth it.
Prediction Markets May Make the Situation Worse
The MLB Players’ Association has taken some steps to mitigate these dangers. The group has been actively pushing to eliminate prop bets tied to individual player performance in an effort to reduce harassment. While the MLB has taken some measures to restrict certain types of micro-bets, many players feel that these are not enough, as deepening ties with gambling companies and prediction markets offer little incentive for drastic change.
Baseball integrity is another major concern. A 2025 investigation into Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz accused them of manipulating their plays to secure easy gambling wins. While the robust ecosystem around regulated sports betting quickly detected these irregularities, many fear that the lack of safeguards around prediction markets could lead to similar incidents.
While the CFTC has welcomed the deepening ties between the MLB and prediction markets, skeptics point out that the financial watchdog has no experience investigating match-fixing and corruption in sports. As frictions between state regulators and prediction markets escalate, it may be the players that end up paying the cost.