UPDATE: The Ohio Casino Control Commission has just announced that it is collaborating with Major League Baseball on an urgent investigation involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. This development follows reports of suspicious wagering activity related to Guardians games, raising serious concerns about the integrity of sports betting in Ohio.
On June 30, 2023, the commission was alerted by an Ohio-licensed sportsbook regarding unusual betting patterns on Guardians events. The alert prompted MLB to initiate its own inquiry. The commission previously dealt with similar issues in 2023 during an independent investigation into suspicious betting on the University of Alabama’s baseball team.
Governor Mike DeWine has expressed deep concern over the implications of these findings. In a statement released on July 31, he remarked, “The evidence that prop betting is harming athletics in Ohio is reaching critical mass. First, there were threats on Ohio athletes, and now two high-profile Ohio professional athletes have been suspended by Major League Baseball as part of a ‘sports betting investigation.'”
The focus of the investigation centers on two specific pitches thrown by Ortiz during his starts on June 15 in Seattle and June 27 against St. Louis, which exhibited abnormal betting activity. A betting-integrity firm flagged these incidents, forwarding the information directly to MLB for further examination.
As a precautionary measure, both Clase and Ortiz are currently on non-disciplinary paid leave until August 31, 2023, while the investigation continues. Their leave raises questions about the potential impact on their careers and the reputation of the Guardians amid these serious allegations.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission is set to convene for its next meeting on August 20, 2023, where it may address the ongoing investigation and discuss the future of player-specific micro bets. Notably, Ohio is one of only 16 states that prohibit prop bets on college athletes, a regulation that may come into further scrutiny as the situation develops.
With the integrity of professional sports on the line, the implications of this investigation could reverberate beyond the Guardians. As authorities continue to probe these allegations, fans and stakeholders alike are left questioning the future of sports betting in Ohio and its effects on athletes.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
