In a recent interview with CBS Sports, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his views on the league’s involvement in the rapidly growing world of legalized sports betting. Manfred revealed that MLB was initially hesitant to embrace the concept of sports betting but was ultimately “dragged” into the industry due to its increasing popularity and legalization in various states across the country.
“We were a little bit dragged into it,” Manfred said. “But as it has become legalized in more and more states, we have had to figure out how we can cooperate with our partners in the gaming industry.”
Despite MLB’s initial reluctance, Manfred praised the league’s integrity unit, which works to ensure the integrity of MLB games and protect against any potential match-fixing or corruption. The integrity unit, which was established in 2018, monitors betting markets for any irregularities and investigates any suspicious activity that could pose a threat to the game’s integrity.
“Our integrity unit is doing a tremendous job in monitoring the betting markets and making sure that our games remain free from any outside influences,” Manfred said. “We take the integrity of our game very seriously, and we are committed to protecting the integrity of baseball at all costs.”
Manfred’s comments come at a time when sports betting is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, with more and more states legalizing the activity and sports leagues forming partnerships with betting operators. The MLB has already signed deals with several sports betting companies, including MGM Resorts and DraftKings, to capitalize on the growing market and provide fans with opportunities to engage with the game in new and exciting ways.
While Manfred acknowledged the challenges that come with legalized sports betting, he emphasized the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game and ensuring that it remains unaffected by the influence of outside forces. With the MLB and other sports leagues continuing to navigate the complexities of the sports betting landscape, it is clear that collaboration between the leagues and the gaming industry will be crucial in shaping the future of sports betting in the United States.
