Ohio Governor DeWine Says MLB Taking Action on Micro Prop Gambling

Major League Baseball is working with leading sportsbooks to eliminate micro prop betting, according to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who said the league views such wagers as a threat to integrity across professional sports.

Good to Know

• MLB has reportedly reached deals with most major sportsbooks to remove micro prop markets.
• Micro prop bets let users wager on hyper-specific in-game actions, like a pitcher’s strikeouts.
• Ohio may impose a state-level ban if a nationwide policy fails to materialize.

In an interview with The Columbus Dispatch, DeWine said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office informed him that nearly every major operator — except one — has agreed to drop micro prop bets from their baseball offerings. The remaining operator was not named.

“These micro prop bets are just very dangerous. They’re really a great threat to the integrity of sports,” said DeWine. “And they can occur in baseball, but they can also occur in other sports as well. And they do occur in other sports as well.”

Micro prop wagers fall under the broader category of in-game or live betting, which now makes up more than half of all bets on major platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings. They allow users to bet on moment-to-moment events such as a single pitch outcome, number of innings thrown, or specific player performance stats.

MLB’s internal effort to curb these wagers comes amid growing federal concern about betting-related misconduct. The discussions between DeWine and MLB followed an announcement from FBI Director Kash Patel that an NBA head coach, a current player, and a former player had been arrested in an alleged illegal gambling operation.

While the proposed ban will only apply to baseball, DeWine said he would monitor how the league implements it before deciding on next steps for Ohio. “We’ll wait until after the World Series,” he told reporters, suggesting that state-level restrictions could follow if no unified national policy emerges.

The governor initially called for micro prop betting restrictions in July, when Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were placed on leave during a gambling probe. Since then, DeWine has advocated for what he called a “holistic solution” at the federal or multi-state level but hinted that Ohio could take unilateral action if needed.

If the state decides to move forward, the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) would oversee the change. The rule would require approval from the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review before taking effect — though DeWine said the OCCC could act faster if an official request came directly from a sports league.

Ohio regulators have previously adjusted wagering rules at the request of sports bodies. In early 2024, the OCCC prohibited college prop bets shortly after the NCAA urged states to remove such markets to protect student-athletes.

Industry analysts say the MLB-led initiative could prompt similar reviews from other major leagues, particularly as regulators and operators continue to debate how to balance player safety, integrity, and betting innovation.

FAQ

What exactly are micro prop bets?

They are wagers on extremely specific in-game moments, such as the number of strikeouts a pitcher records or the outcome of a single at-bat.

Who is involved in the ban discussions?

MLB has reportedly reached agreements with nearly all major sportsbooks except one, according to Governor DeWine.

Will this affect all sports?

No. The current initiative focuses only on Major League Baseball, though other leagues could adopt similar measures later.

What action could Ohio take next?

If federal coordination fails, the Ohio Casino Control Commission could move to ban micro prop bets within the state, pending legislative review.