Major League Baseball (MLB) has strict rules regarding gambling. As of my knowledge cutoff in 2023, MLB players are not permitted to bet on baseball games, including those involving their own teams or any other MLB teams. This includes all forms of sports betting, such as moneyline bets, over/unders, spreads, prop bets, and parlays.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which was struck down in 2018, had previously limited sports betting to just a few states. However, the reversal of PASPA has led to the legalization of sports betting in various states across the United States. In response to the changing legal landscape, MLB and the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) updated their policies.
MLB’s policy, which is part of the Joint Drug Agreement between MLB and the MLBPA, includes the following key points regarding gambling:
1. Players, managers, and coaches are prohibited from betting on baseball games, including those involving their own teams.
2. There is a complete ban on any form of betting involving inside information.
3. Players are not allowed to provide any information to individuals known to be gamblers or to associates of gamblers.
4. There are severe penalties for violating the policy, including fines, suspensions, or permanent bans from the sport.
MLB takes these rules very seriously and has implemented a monitoring system to detect any unusual betting patterns that might indicate rule violations. It’s important to note that these rules are subject to change, and individuals involved with MLB should always refer to the most current policies and guidelines.
