Senate Committee Seeks Details from MLB on Alleged Game Manipulation

Federal lawmakers have intensified their scrutiny of sports integrity following new allegations of gambling corruption in MLB.

Two Senators have requested information from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on how the league is addressing claims that players manipulated game outcomes for profit. 

The request by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell followed an indictment in the Eastern District of New York charging Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz with intentionally altering pitches so associates could profit from prop bets.

The development comes just a few weeks after similar claims were made in the NBA, which prompted lawmakers to request documents from both leagues. In their letter to MLB, Senators Cruz and Cantwell said that recent cases show that illegal sports betting and game manipulation are becoming more common in all professional sports. 

They wanted to know more about how MLB monitors and investigates matters, as well as how it handled the Cleveland case internally.

The letter referenced the Committee's authority under Senate rules to continually review matters related to sports and commerce. Lawmakers requested written responses and documents produced since January 2020, setting a deadline of Dec. 5.

Their inquiry concerns how MLB monitors betting-related activity, identifies potential threats to the game's integrity, and collaborates with law enforcement as more leagues accuse one another of game manipulation.

MLB and sportsbooks tighten limits

At the same time as the Senate investigation, MLB announced new nationwide betting rules that are meant to lower the risks of pitch-specific prop bets. The league said the best sports betting sites will set a $200 limit on bets involving individual pitches. 

These wagers are now barred from inclusion in parlays, a change intended to lower incentives for market manipulation. The shift followed months of negotiations and talks with the league's sportsbook partners, which began when Clase and Ortiz were placed on leave during the league's internal betting probe.

MLB described the limits as part of broader efforts to strengthen betting safeguards. "I commend the industry for working with us to take action on a national solution to address the risks posed by these pitch-level markets, which are particularly vulnerable to integrity concerns," said Commissioner Rob Manfred. He added that MLB has collaborated with sportsbook partners for seven years to protect the integrity of league competition.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also advised MLB on reducing the risks associated with pitch-level props and previously signaled support for banning the wagers entirely following the investigation involving the two Guardians pitchers. Federal prosecutors alleged the scheme generated roughly $450,000 in winnings for bettors who were informed in advance about upcoming pitches. 

MLB said the new limits aim to reduce opportunities for similar attempts to influence betting outcomes.