The impact of sports betting on the game can’t be minimized.
When you turn on the television to watch your favorite sports, what advertisements do you typically see? Usually, you’ll see regular advertisements for restaurants, insurance companies, and betting platforms. However, on May 14, 2018, when the Supreme Court legalized sports betting across numerous states, the subsequent rise of sports betting significantly impacted the industry.
As sports betting has become more popular with television advertising, fans encounter betting platforms such as PrizePicks, DraftKings, BETMGM, which are the most popular. Some advertising applications offer promotions for first-time users, such as PrizePicks, “ENTER $5 GET $50 INSTANTLY” or “BET $5 GET $250 Instantly in Bonus Bets” for signing up with DraftKings.
Watching your favorite teams play is the perfect way sports betting reels you into their campaign, enticing fans to respond to bonuses or promotions to win quick cash. Some individuals are more at risk than others, depending on how much they wager. While this opened up a new window of untapped revenue, it also has impacted the teams and players, affecting MLB’s reputation and jeopardizing players’ legacies, as in the infamous Pete Rose case
It also affects players’ careers, as it has for San Diego’s Tucupita Marcano. Marcano made his professional debut appearance in 2017 with the Dominican Summer League Padres. That debut came after he was traded to the Padres from the Pirates. In 2024, Marcano was banned from the game indefinitely due to allegations of illegal sports betting. He was found guilty of making 25 bets on Pirates’ games while on the injured reserved list.
Marcano received a lifetime ban from the game, and four other players—A’ pitcher Michael Kelly, Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Saalfrank, Padres pitcher Jay Groome, and Phillies infielder Jose Rodriguez—received one-year suspensions for betting on other teams. More here.
You can’t un-ring that bell, meaning it’s impossible to change what has happened, and Marcano’s actions can’t be undone. Less clear is why a player like Marcano did what he did. Does he have a gambling problem? Did he seek financial gain? Both? Other? No matter the reason(s), what he did was unethical, and the impact extends beyond him. It tarnishes the game when an insider engages in unacceptable behavior.
Rule 21 states: “Any player, umpire, or Club or League Official or employee, who shall bet any sum upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has to perform, shall be declared permanently ineligible.” If an individual is not directly involved, Rule 21 states: “Any player, umpire, or Club or League Official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform, shall be declared ineligible for one year.” Lastly, in the gambling category, “Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee who places with illegal bookmakers, or agents of unlawful bookmakers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct. Any player, umpire, Club, League official, or employee who operates or works for an illegal bookmaking business shall be subject to a minimum one-year suspension by the Commissioner.”
For purposes of this provision, an illegal bookmaker “is an individual who accepts, places or handles wagers on sporting events from members of the public as part of gaming operation that is unlawful in the jurisdiction in which the bets are accepted.”
As the MLB prohibits all players or individuals in the organization, we must protect the game and its integrity. Focusing on the rules and regulations prevents the public and MLB organizations from ever being tampered with. While these rules provide clarity to athletes, umpires, club, or league officials, they should be honored with fairness from both sides.
