DeWine pushes NFL, other leagues to restrict ‘microprop’ bets after sports-betting scandals

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine says he’s speaking with the National Football League to get rid of “microprop” betting in pro football games, after the recent gambling scandals in Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association.

In an interview this week, DeWine said that he’s also sending letters to other major U.S. pro sports leagues urging them to restrict microprop bets, according to Cleveland.com.

DeWine refused to say who exactly he was speaking to at the NFL or what potential moves they had been discussing.

He added that pro sports leaders need to address this problem before they face new gambling scandals involving their players.

“These leagues need just to wake up and see that this is a problem,” DeWine told Cleveland.com. “They’re going to have to take action.”

However, DeWine acknowledged that even if microbetting were to become illegal in Ohio, it would not solve the problem because the entire nation would need to take action.

“If you’re really trying to achieve a result of eliminating a type of bet that is very susceptible to cheating, it has to be across the whole league, across all the teams, all the players,” he said.

DeWine previously praised the MLB for restricting microprop betting.

“I commend Commissioner Manfred, Major League Baseball, and its partners for taking this action to address the problem of micro-prop bets,” he said in a release. “By limiting the ability to place large wagers on micro-prop bets, Major League Baseball is taking affirmative steps to protect the integrity of the game and reduce the incentives to participate in improper betting schemes.”

In his statement, Manfred stated that the MLB has been working with “industry and regulatory stakeholders across the country to uphold our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans.”

He also commended DeWine for “his leadership on this issue” and the industry for “working with us to take action on a national solution to address the risks posed by these pitch-level markets.”

“We look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders, including licensed sports betting operators, elected officials and regulators, to ensure we are always protecting the integrity of our game,” Manfred said.

The recent decision by MLB officials followed the accusations against two Cleveland Guardians pitchers, Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase, who were alleged to have rigged baseball games to benefit sports bettors.