MLB Bans Players from Prediction Markets Amid Betting Scandal

UPDATE: Major League Baseball (MLB) has issued an urgent memo banning players from participating in prediction markets linked to baseball events, amid rising concerns over sports betting integrity. This decision, confirmed by sources close to the league, follows serious allegations against two players, Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz and Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera, who are facing charges related to a scheme involving wire fraud and bribery.

The memo, dated August 26, 2025, was distributed by Commissioner Rob Manfred’s office and shared with both major and minor league players. It explicitly prohibits any involvement in platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket, which allow users to wager on the outcomes of specific events, including MLB games.

According to the report from Front Office Sports, the memo underscored that participating in these “prediction markets” violates long-standing MLB betting rules, reflecting the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game. The document noted, “Several companies are now offering what they call ‘prediction markets,’ which allow members of the public to risk money on the outcome of specific events, including baseball and other sporting events.”

As the scandal unfolds, prosecutors allege that the scheme involving Clase and Ortiz Ribera may have involved hundreds of thousands of dollars in rigged bets, raising alarm bells within the MLB. The league’s proactive stance on banning prediction market involvement is a clear response to the growing scrutiny over betting practices in sports.

Despite MLB’s embrace of online sports betting in recent years, including partnerships with major operators like DraftKings and FanDuel, the league has remained cautious about prediction markets. In contrast, leagues like the NHL have already established agreements with similar platforms, while the NFL has expressed concerns regarding regulatory oversight.

In a related statement, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed on December 3, 2025, that the NFL does not plan to participate in prediction markets without a stringent regulatory framework. He stated, “For us, that’s not something we’re about to enter into. We are going to see how things play out, both from a regulatory standpoint.”

This recent crackdown by MLB marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over sports betting. As the situation develops, players and fans alike are left to ponder the future of sports betting and its impact on the integrity of the games they love.

Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding story as additional details emerge regarding the allegations against Clase and Ortiz Ribera, and the MLB’s evolving stance on prediction markets.