TLDR
- The MLB Players Association wants to ban all prop bets tied to individual players, including bets placed before or during games.
- The union says these bets lead to harassment of players by angry gamblers.
- The proposal covers sportsbooks, daily fantasy operators, and prediction markets.
- Players are asking MLB to clarify rules around sponsorships with betting and prediction market companies.
- The push comes the same week the NCAA asked Indiana regulators to ban prop bets on college athletes, though the state delayed a decision.
The Major League Baseball Players Association has proposed banning prop bets on individual players. The union says these bets cause harassment from gamblers who lose money.
A source told ESPN that the proposal came up during collective bargaining talks between the union and MLB. The plan would apply to traditional sportsbooks as well as daily fantasy platforms and prediction markets.
What the Proposal Covers
Under the plan, betting on individual players would be banned entirely. This includes bets placed before a game starts and bets placed while a game is in progress.
A common example is a bet on whether a batter will hit a home run during a game. The union wants this type of wager removed from the market.
The MLBPA also asked MLB to join its effort and lobby for a wider ban across the gambling industry. An MLB official said the league would address the proposal during ongoing negotiations.
Players are also asking for clearer rules on sponsorships. The current labor agreement bars players from using their name or image to promote betting on baseball games.
The union wants to know if deals with prediction markets or sportsbooks are allowed outside that rule. Right now, the rules around these newer markets are not clearly spelled out.
Handling of Gambling Investigations
The proposal also addresses how MLB should handle gambling investigations. Players under investigation would be placed on paid administrative leave instead of continuing to play.
For players returning from suspensions, the union suggested a 15-day unpaid assignment in the minor leagues. This would happen before the player returns to the majors.
MLB has already made changes following past gambling problems. Last November, two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were indicted in a pitch-rigging scheme.
After that case, MLB and its sportsbook partners capped first-pitch prop bets at $200. The league also banned those bets from being included in parlays at most sportsbooks.
The timing of the MLBPA proposal lines up with similar action in college sports. The NCAA recently urged Indiana regulators to ban prop bets on student-athletes.
NCAA officials argued that player welfare matters more than gambling revenue. Sportsbook operators pushed back, warning that a ban could push bettors toward offshore markets instead.
The Indiana Gaming Commission spent over an hour discussing the issue at a recent meeting. Commissioners ultimately tabled the proposal rather than voting on it right away.
The matter will not be revisited until the commission’s next meeting in September. For now, prop bets on college athletes remain legal in the state.
Both the MLB and NCAA situations show ongoing tension between sports leagues, regulators, and the gambling industry. Player groups continue to push for limits on bets tied to individual performance.
MLB’s collective bargaining talks with the players union are still active, and the league has not yet issued a formal response to the prop bet proposal.
