The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling that effectively banned commercial sports betting in most states opened the floodgates for the endorsement of legal sports gambling operators by teams, athletes, and multiple sports leagues in the US. However, the leagues’ anti-gambling laws remained strict for their own personnel, including umpires. In a recent development, Major League Baseball (MLB) disciplined umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules. Hoberg, who denies betting on baseball, is appealing the ruling, and his specific discipline remains unknown. The 37-year-old umpire has been absent from on-field assignments this season.
During Spring Training, MLB initiated an investigation into potential violations of its sports betting policies by Hoberg, leading to his removal from the field pending the investigation. While MLB did not find evidence of compromised or manipulated games involving Hoberg, it deemed discipline necessary and Hoberg chose to appeal the decision. Hoberg has a good reputation as an umpire, having worked the World Series in 2022 and received high scores for his performance from UmpScorecards.com. This suspension marks a rare occurrence for MLB, as umpires are typically suspended for on-field interactions and not gambling violations since the 2018 Supreme Court decision.
MLB has been embroiled in gambling-related controversies this year, with cases involving players and other personnel. In June, San Diego Padres player Tucupita Marcano was permanently ineligible for placing legal wagers on baseball games, and four minor league players were suspended for one year for the same offense. In another case, the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani was fired for stealing millions from Ohtani to cover his sports gambling losses with an illegal bookmaker. Ohtani was cleared of any involvement in the scheme by an MLB investigation.
Details about the specifics of Hoberg’s alleged gambling activities, such as what he bet on, when, and the amounts involved, remain unclear. MLB umpires are subject to Rule 21, which governs player gambling and allows for the right to appeal disciplinary actions. As MLB’s ties to the gambling industry have deepened in recent years, the fallout from cases like Hoberg’s will continue to draw scrutiny. The league faces challenges in maintaining integrity and fair play amidst the growing influence of sports betting and the potential risks it poses to the sport.
The case of Pat Hoberg adds to a series of gambling-related controversies in MLB, highlighting the complexities and risks associated with sports betting. As leagues and teams navigate their relationships with the gambling industry, enforcing strict guidelines and penalties for personnel involved in gambling violations becomes crucial to upholding the integrity of the sport. The fallout from such cases underscores the ongoing challenges and scrutiny faced by leagues like MLB as they grapple with the evolving landscape of sports gambling and its impact on the game.
