Governor DeWine Calls for Ban on Prop Bets in Ohio to Safeguard Athletes and Game Integrity
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has urged the Ohio Casino Control Commission to eliminate prop bets from the list of permissible bets under Ohio's gaming regulations. This call to action follows Major League Baseball's decision to place two Cleveland Guardians pitchers on leave due to a sports betting inquiry. DeWine expressed concerns about prop betting's impact on collegiate athletes and plans to seek support from major sports leagues to ban prop betting to safeguard the integrity of their games.
DeWine highlighted the risks associated with micro prop bets, which involve highly specific events controlled by individual players. He emphasized the detrimental effects of prop betting on athletes and the game's integrity, urging the Casino Control Commission to remove all prop bets from Ohio's gambling market. The governor's stance against threats to Ohio athletes emerged after the state's sports gambling laws took effect in January 2023, prompting legislative actions to address marketplace issues.
In response to concerns raised by NCAA President Charlie Baker, the Ohio Casino Control Commission implemented rules in February 2024 that prohibited collegiate prop bets in the state. This change prevented bettors from placing bets on individual player achievements in collegiate sporting events but did not impact professional sports contests. While prop bets on professional sports remain permissible in Ohio, the focus has shifted to addressing potential risks associated with prop betting in collegiate sports.
Recent developments involving Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase being placed on non-disciplinary paid leave due to a sports betting investigation have underscored the need for regulatory action. Allegations of unusual prop betting activity during Guardians games in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio have raised concerns about the integrity of sports betting practices. DeWine's efforts to eliminate prop bets aim to protect athletes and uphold the integrity of sports competitions in Ohio.