Recently, two pitchers from Major League Baseball in the United States were criminally charged for allegedly manipulating game outcomes and participating in micro-betting abuses, sparking widespread discussion about sports integrity and gambling regulation. The charges involve Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians, who are accused of manipulating specific pitches during games and providing non-public information for illegal betting to conspirators.
Background and Origin of the Case
A federal judge announced the indictment after the World Series, charging Clase and Ortiz with game manipulation starting in 2023. The prosecution claims this is the most serious gambling misconduct by MLB players since the 2018 decision of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. The indictment states that the pitchers manipulated the outcomes of their pitches before taking the mound, and conspirators used this information for hundreds of fraudulent bets, winning large sums of money.
Details of Specific Manipulative Actions
Clase repeatedly disclosed the type of pitch he planned to throw to gamblers, such as in a May 2023 game against the Mets, where he shared pitch information in advance, allowing a gambler to win $27,000 by betting on the pitch speed. In June 2023, Clase is alleged to have intentionally thrown a bad pitch, with a gambler betting that the pitch speed would be below a certain value and winning $38,000. In 2025, Clase and Ortiz conspired to manipulate pitching, with Ortiz agreeing to throw a bad pitch in the second inning in exchange for $5,000, resulting in a gambler investing $13,000 and winning $26,000.
Legal Consequences and League Reaction
The two pitchers face multiple charges including wire fraud, bribery, and money laundering, with a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison. Ortiz has been arrested in Boston, and his lawyer denies the charges. MLB cooperated with law enforcement at the beginning of the investigation and imposed suspensions on the players. League Commissioner Manfred noted that micro-betting is susceptible to manipulation, and figures such as the Governor of Ohio have called for a ban on related betting.
Micro-Betting Abuse and Push for Prohibition
This indictment is the fourth integrity case in the American sports world in the past month, drawing attention to the regulation of micro-betting. Federal lawmakers suggest banning prop bets to maintain sports fairness. The case highlights the threat of gambling abuse to sports integrity and may drive stricter legislation in the future.
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