Congress demands explanations from MLB for baseball betting scandal

Congress Expresses Concern Over MLB Betting Scandal

The United States Congress has raised its voice in the face of a possible “new integrity crisis” in American sports. Members of Congress sent a letter to the commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB), Rob Manfred, expressing their concern about the betting scheme involving players from the Cleveland Guardians. The letter, signed by members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which is responsible for overseeing professional sports, questions the accusations against Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. The senators described the allegations as “markedly more serious” compared to other recent incidents related to betting in baseball. Federal prosecutors charged Clase and Ortiz with fixing individual pitches in multiple games to benefit associates in betting.

How did MLB catch Marcano and suspend him for life but not realize Clase was allegedly doctoring pitches for two years?

Letter from Congress to Rob Manfred

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, committee leaders, questioned why the alleged Class actions, which began in May 2023, were not detected until now. They compared this case to that of former Major League player Tucupita Marcano, who was suspended in 2024 for betting on baseball. The committee requested information on when and how MLB was informed of the alleged activity of Clase and Ortiz, as well as detailed documentation on the league’s betting policies and details of any other betting-related investigations since January 1, 2020. The deadline for the delivery of this information is December 5. The same committee sent a letter to the NBA in October, requesting information related to the league’s handling of the alleged gambling scandal involving Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, former player and coach Damon Jones, and Miami Heat veteran guard Terry Rozier. The committee members highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into the possible manipulation in multiple leagues, suggesting a systemic vulnerability.