MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred doesn’t anticipate federal intervention for legal sports wagering

In the last year, there have been several betting scandals across professional sports leagues in North America. Major League Baseball (MLB) has seen its fair share. Despite these betting scandals taking place, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred doesn’t envision federal intervention surrounding legal sports wagering. Manfred noted the emphasis on state’s rights and how it’s not practical for the government to step in and deprive a state of revenue. Commissioner Manfred had this to say to the Dallas Morning News.

“It’s important to say that our No. 1 issue, the single thing on which there is no compromise, is the integrity of the game on the field. We went to the Supreme Court trying to stop sports betting in New Jersey. Once you had the Supreme Court decision, I don’t see it going backwards in any way. I really don’t,” – Rob Manfred

What betting scandals has the MLB been involved in recently?

First off, Rule 21 prohibits MLB players, umpires, club or league officials, and employees to bet on baseball. Bans can be anywhere from a year to permanent ineligibility to play in that league again. One-year bans usually involve bets in which the player did not bet on themself. A lifetime ban could come if a player is caught wagering on a game they were involved in directly. It all depends on how serious the case is. The MLB’s most famous betting scandal in the last year has to do with former Angels and now Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani. His ex-interpreter Ippe Mizzuhara pleaded guilty to federal charges in May of stealing $17 million from Mr. Ohtani.

Mizzuhara did this to help pay off his personal sports betting debt. Now, he faces up to 33 years in federal prison. Another recent MLB betting scandal involved former San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano. He received a lifetime ban from the MLB for wagering more than $150,000. Additionally, four other players received one-year bans for suspicions of unrelated violations involving the MLB. Finally, umpire Pat Hoberg was disciplined in June for violating the MLB policy. However, Hoberg is appealing. A league conference found that Hoberg did not compromise or manipulate any games he worked in.