As the New York Mets prepare to host the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field on August 1, 2025, the highly anticipated MLB clash unfolds against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over sports betting integrity. While fans eagerly await this Friday night showdown, recent events have cast a long shadow, highlighting the persistent challenges major sports leagues face in safeguarding the fairness of their competitions from the influence of gambling.
The landscape of professional sports has been significantly altered since the May 2018 ruling that struck down a federal law barring sports betting in most states. This landmark decision opened the floodgates for online sportsbooks, ushering in a new era of engagement for fans but simultaneously introducing unprecedented complexities and a surge in gambling-related incidents involving athletes and officials across various disciplines.
Historically, sports have grappled with the specter of betting scandals, dating back decades. A notable early instance occurred in 1951, when 35 active and former players faced accusations of fixing at least 86 baseball games between 1947 and 1951. This period also saw four members of the Adolph Rupp-coached Kentucky Wildcats implicated in a bribery scheme ahead of a 1948-49 NIT game, leading to severe penalties including the cancellation of Kentucky’s 1952-53 season.
Baseball’s integrity has been repeatedly tested, perhaps most famously with Pete Rose. In 1989, an MLB investigation concluded that Rose placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985-87 while both playing for and managing the team. Despite his legendary status as baseball’s all-time hit leader, Rose remains ineligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, with his repeated requests for reinstatement consistently denied, underscoring the league’s firm stance against gambling violations.
Beyond baseball, other major professional sports have also faced their share of high-profile betting controversies. The NBA experienced the Tim Donaghy scandal in 2008, where the referee pleaded guilty to wire fraud for taking money for inside tips on games he officiated. The NFL has similarly suspended at least 15 players for gambling violations, including prominent figures like Paul Hornung and Alex Karras in 1963, and more recently, Calvin Ridley in 2022, demonstrating the league’s ongoing efforts to police its athletes.
The contemporary era has witnessed a new wave of stringent enforcement, epitomized by recent lifetime bans. In April 2024, Jontay Porter was permanently banned from the NBA after a league probe found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, even betting against his own team. Commissioner Adam Silver condemned Porter’s actions as “blatant,” emphasizing the league’s commitment to maintaining competitive fairness and public trust.
MLB has also responded decisively to recent betting breaches. In June 2024, Tucupita Marcano became the first active player in a century to receive a lifetime ban for betting on baseball, placing hundreds of bets totaling over $150,000. Concurrently, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor leaguers received one-year suspensions for similar offenses, reinforcing MLB’s zero-tolerance policy against gambling activity by players.
The scope of investigations extends beyond players to officials, as evidenced by the February 2025 termination of umpire Derek Hoberg. Although MLB’s probe found no evidence Hoberg personally bet on baseball or manipulated games, he was fired for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who then bet on games, and for intentionally deleting electronic messages pertinent to the investigation. This case highlights the broad reach of league vigilance.
Most recently, MLB placed Cleveland Guardians pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Emmanuel Clase on paid leave amidst an ongoing sports betting investigation. The probe into Ortiz reportedly relates to unusual activity on in-game prop bets during his starts, while Clase’s situation remains less clear. These ongoing inquiries underscore the relentless challenge of upholding integrity in professional sports amid the widespread legalization of sports betting.
