MLBPA Proposes MLB Prop Betting Ban to Combat Harassment From Gamblers

The MLBPA has proposed a ban on individual player prop bets, which currently account for 20% to 30% of total game wagers.

The Major League Baseball Players Association proposed a total ban on individual player prop betting during collective bargaining negotiations on Thursday. This proposal aims to eliminate wagers on specific statistical outcomes, such as the over/under on pitcher strikeouts or a batter's total hits in a single game. According to sportsbook sources, these specific wagers currently represent between 20% and 30% of the total financial volume wagered on a single MLB contest. The union's initiative seeks to protect athletes from harassment by disgruntled gamblers who target players based on individual performance outcomes.

Under the proposed MLB prop betting ban, the prohibition would extend to all pre-game and in-game offerings, including popular markets like the odds for a player to hit a home run. The MLBPA suggested a joint lobbying effort with Major League Baseball to enforce this restriction across all licensed sportsbooks and daily fantasy operators. Furthermore, the ban would encompass event contracts at prediction markets that focus on the performance of a single player. An MLB official confirmed that the league intends to provide a formal response to the union's proposal as negotiations continue.

New Disciplinary and Rehabilitation Protocols

The union's proposal introduces specific changes to how the league manages gambling-related investigations and punishments. The MLBPA requested that any player currently subject to a betting investigation be placed on administrative leave rather than remaining on the active roster. Additionally, the union seeks a new pathway for players returning from gambling-related suspensions. This includes a 15-day unpaid rehabilitation assignment in the minor leagues, which would take place near the conclusion of a player's ban to facilitate their return to professional competition.

In November, the league and its partner sportsbooks already implemented a $250 limit on first-pitch prop bets. This restriction followed the indictment of two Cleveland Guardians pitchers on charges involving an alleged pitch-rigging betting scheme. Currently, most sportsbooks also prohibit first-pitch prop bets from being included in parlay wagers at the specific request of Major League Baseball. The union now looks to expand these existing safeguards into a comprehensive prohibition of all individual performance-based wagers.

Endorsements and Prediction Market Clarifications

Beyond the ban on wagers, the MLBPA is seeking clarity regarding the commercial rights of its members. The union asked the league to explicitly state that players may engage in endorsements and sponsorships with legal betting operators and prediction markets. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, players are strictly prohibited from authorizing the use of their name, uniform number, image, or likeness to advertise or promote betting for or against any baseball game or event. The union's request aims to define the boundaries of these marketing opportunities while simultaneously restricting the betting markets that lead to fan-based harassment.

This movement aligns with broader trends in the sports industry, as the NCAA also lobbied against individual player prop bets this week. On Thursday, the NCAA requested that the Indiana Gaming Commission consider a ban on such wagers for college athletes. The MLBPA's proposal mirrors these concerns regarding the integrity of the game and the safety of the participants.

Impact on Sportsbook Operations and Prediction Markets

If the proposal is adopted, it would fundamentally change the landscape for daily fantasy operators and prediction markets. By removing individual player performance as a taxable or wagerable event, the league would eliminate a significant portion of the current betting handle. The union source told ESPN that these measures are necessary to address the rising frequency of interactions between disgruntled bettors and professional athletes. The proposed joint lobbying effort would target state regulators to ensure the prohibition is applied consistently across all legal gambling jurisdictions. While the league has not yet agreed to the terms, the inclusion of these points in the CBA talks marks a significant shift in the relationship between professional baseball and the legalized gambling industry.