Senate Inquiry Follows MLB Gambling Scandal

In light of the recent gambling-related issues facing MLB, the U.S. government is getting involved.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) want documents and details from the league about the recent betting scandal. Authorities arrested two Cleveland Guardians pitchers for gambling-related crimes.

The two federal lawmakers head the Senate Commerce Committee. In the wake of the arrests, the committee recently launched a probe into league integrity and gambling issues. Committee members are now seeking information from the league, major sportsbooks, and federal regulators.

Cruz is the committee’s ranking member and has warned of “a dangerous erosion of competitive integrity” since a virtual federal ban on sports betting outside of Nevada was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Growing Investigation Across Major Sports

The committee had already been looking into the gambling controversy surrounding the NBA. In October, Miami Heat guard point guard Terry Rozier and former NBA journeyman and Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Damon Jones were arrested for allegedly being involved in a stats-rigging scheme to benefit gamblers.

The committee was already demanding answers from the NBA when the MLB controversy erupted. Federal prosecutors announced on Sunday that Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase had been implicated in a similar scheme involving prop betting on individual pitches.

“They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed,” U.S. Attorney with the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella Jr said. “And they betrayed America’s pastime. Integrity, honesty, and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants, but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”

Infamous ‘Black Sox’ Comparison And Policy Questions

Last week, Cruz and Committee Chair Cantwell sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred requesting numerous documents, including policies, disciplinary records, and communications related to sports betting enforcement.

The letter spelled out significant concerns the committee had regarding integrity in sports. Moreover, the lawmakers even referenced the 1919 World Series Chicago “Black Sox” scandal.

“Major League Baseball (MLB), and American sports generally, are facing a new integrity crisis,” senators said in the letter. “The integrity of the game is paramount. MLB has every interest in ensuring baseball is free from influence and manipulation.”

Along with asking for documents, the senators also listed several questions for Manfred. They were concerned about cell phone use during games, how the league could revise gambling rules and procedures, and more.

MLB And Sportsbooks Respond On Prop Betting

In the wake of the controversy, MLB reached agreements with the league’s sports betting partners. Sportsbooks will put limits on pitching prop bets and disallow them being used in parlay bets.