A lawmaker in Maryland wants the state to consider prohibiting micro betting as professional sports leagues deal with allegations of game manipulation by athletes.
House of Delegates minority leader Jason Buckel told The Baltimore Sun that he would like to see the state tackle the issue of micro bets as MLB deals with a gambling scandal tied to the alleged manipulation of pitch-level markets.
“We definitely should take a strong look at [micro betting],” Buckel said. “I believe the best course of action would be to either outright ban those types of individual-play prop bets or to very significantly limit the amount that could be wagered on those types of sporting activities.”
Two MLB pitchers implicated in alleged gambling scandal
Micro betting is receiving greater scrutiny after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy for allegedly rigging pitches during games and receiving kickbacks.
According to an unsealed indictment, Clase worked with co-conspirators over two years to rig specific pitches based on speed and location, allowing the co-conspirators to profit from wagers placed using the information.
Ortiz allegedly joined the scheme in June 2025, with co-conspirators winning more than $50,000 from wagering on his pitch-level markets. Clase and Ortiz have been placed on paid leave as the MLB conducts its investigation into the matter.
Congress seeking information from MLB
The alleged scandal is drawing concerns from members of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. Earlier this month, the committee sent a letter to MLB seeking information on how the league plans to prevent similar infractions.
MLB plans to respond with details of its protocols and previous investigations into gambling-related misconduct. The committee requested responses from MLB by Dec. 5.
MLB takes action amid alleged gambling scheme
MLB responded by working with its authorized operators to place a $200 limit on pitch-level markets in all U.S. markets, as well as prohibiting their use in parlays. MLB’s authorized sportsbook partners include BetMGM, FanDuel and DraftKings.
Other states have taken steps to try to curb prop betting. Bills recently filed in New Jersey propose banning in-play prop bets on the next action in a sporting event, such as the outcome of the next pitch, and SBC Americas understands that several state gaming regulators are monitoring the situation.
Maryland’s regulator suggested that it plans to implement similar restrictions on certain markets.
“Prior to the start of the 2026 baseball season, we plan to adjust our approved wagers catalog to align with the guidance issued last week by Major League Baseball,” Maryland Lottery and Gaming spokesperson Seth Elkin told The Baltimore Sun.
SBC Americas reached out to Maryland Lottery and Gaming for comment on potential changes to micro betting rules and will update this story if a response is received.
