Citing Guardians Scandal, Ohio Governor DeWine Calls for Full Ban on Prop Bets

“Harm to Athletes and the Integrity of the Game”

DeWine has asked the Ohio Casino Control Commission to eliminate all prop bets from the state’s legal wagering options. He argues that the evidence of their negative impact has reached a critical mass and that the risks now far outweigh any benefits.

“The evidence that prop betting is harming athletics in Ohio is reaching critical mass,” Governor DeWine said. “The harm to athletes and the integrity of the game is clear, and the benefits are not worth the harm.”

He specifically highlighted “micro prop bets,” which focus on events controlled by a single player, as being particularly problematic and vulnerable to manipulation.

The Cleveland Guardians Catalyst

The governor’s call to action is not happening in a vacuum. It is a direct reaction to the MLB’s investigation into Cleveland Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, who have both been placed on paid leave through August 31.

The league’s probe centers on allegations of unusual prop betting activity tied to the pitchers’ performances in June games. The suspicious wagers were reportedly placed from accounts in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio, demonstrating the multi-state nature of the integrity challenge.

Building on a Collegiate Precedent

This is not Ohio’s first move to limit prop betting. In February 2024, the state’s Casino Control Commission banned prop bets on individual player achievements in college sports.

That decision came at the direct request of NCAA President Charlie Baker, who argued such bets put student-athletes at risk of harassment and pressure from bettors.

DeWine’s new push to extend the ban to professional sports follows the same logic, applying the same integrity concerns to the pro leagues.