Ohio Commission Launches Investigation of Guardians Pitchers Over Gambling Allegations

Posted on: August 14, 2025, 12:46h. 

Last updated on: August 14, 2025, 01:45h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.
  • MLB investigating Guardians pitchers Clase and Ortiz over gambling allegations 
  • OCCC announces independent investigation of Guardians’ players over prop betting

The Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC) has joined Major League Baseball (MLB) in investigating two Cleveland Guardians pitchers over gambling allegations.

The Ohio Casino Control Commission announces it is investigating two Cleveland Guardians pitchers over gambling allegations. MLB is already investigating the two players. (Image: Shutterstock)

In July, MLB announced on two separate occasions that pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were placed on leave by the league as part of sports betting investigations. 

Flags were raised concerning Ortiz over in-game prop betting where two pitches by Ortiz received higher betting activity than usual during starts on June 15 and June 18.

With Clase, red flags from IC360, a sports integrity monitoring company that looks at betting markets for abnormal or illegal activity, went up on June 27, but specifics regarding the allegations are unclear.

MLB Investigations

The OCCC, the regulatory body in charge of overseeing and ensuring integrity in gaming operations across the state, has announced that it, too, has launched an investigation. 

According to reporting, an independent investigation has begun, and when complete, a report will be sent to members of the Commission. The OCCC has enforcement authority when it comes to state laws, which includes criminal prosecution, depending on the offence.

Microbetting — wagering on specific events during a game, usually for smaller stakes — is growing in popularity. That would include markets like shots on goal in hockey, basketball shots, or the results of a pitch in MLB games.

Enforcement Mechanisms

Last week, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) said he wants to ban prop bets on pro sports and called on leagues and players’ unions to back him up.

These particular one-actions, one-event-in-the-game that bets are being placed on, a lot of money at stake, I just think they’re really susceptible to abuse,” he said here. “And this is something that we don’t need.”

Clase, an all-star closer, had been a subject of trade rumours leading up to MLB’s trade deadline in July, but wasn’t dealt amid the allegations. 

Lifetime Bans

Last July, MLB suspended five players for gambling, led by a lifetime ban for Tucupita Marcano, an infielder with the San Diego Padres. In its decision, MLB said Marcano had placed 387 baseball bets totalling more than $150K with a legal sportsbook in 2022 and 2023.

Michael Kelly of the Oakland Athletics, Jay Groome of the Padres, Andrew Sallfrank of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Jose Rodriguez of the Phillies all received one-year gambling-related suspensions.