MLB doubles down on gambling with new Polymarket deal

For over a century, baseball rejected gambling to preserve the game’s integrity. Now, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says embracing gambling will do the same.

By: Michael Delayo, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 2, 2026

Words: 1,465

Last Updated: 3 months, 4 weeks ago

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By Michael Delayo, Penn State

MLB’s past few seasons have been plagued by a spate of gambling scandals.

In April 2024, authorities arrested Ippei Muzihara, the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, on suspicion of illegally transferring more than US$16 million from Ohtani’s bank accounts to pay a bookie. Muzihara pleaded guilty in February 2025.

Two months later, MLB suspended four minor leaguers for violating the league’s sports betting rules. The league …

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