MLBPA Pushes to Ban Individual Player Prop Bets

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Tue Jun 30, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

MLBPA Pushes to Ban Individual Player Prop Bets

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The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) has proposed banning individual player prop bets during collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with Major League Baseball (MLB). 

Their proposal aims to address growing concerns over player harassment and the integrity of the game, while leaving traditional sports betting markets untouched.

If adopted, the measure would remove wagers tied to individual player performances, including strikeouts, home runs, hits, stolen bases, and other player-specific outcomes. 

Standard betting options, such as moneylines, run lines, totals, and many MLB picks, would remain available through US online sportsbooks.

The current CBA expires on Dec. 1, 2026, making gambling-related policies one of several topics under discussion as both sides negotiate a new labor agreement.

MLBPA Cites Player Safety as the Driving Force Behind Proposed Ban

The MLBPA's proposal centers on protecting players from the growing abuse linked to player prop wagering. According to multiple reports, athletes have experienced an increase in online harassment from bettors whose wagers failed because of an individual performance.

Unlike traditional game wagers, player prop bets focus on one athlete's statistics. As a result, disappointed bettors often direct criticism, insults, or threats toward specific players after losing bets.

The union believes removing these betting markets would reduce opportunities for abusive behavior. It does not seek to eliminate legal baseball wagering altogether. Instead, it wants to eliminate a category that places individual athletes under greater scrutiny.

The proposal also reflects broader concerns surrounding sports betting's rapid expansion across the United States. As more states legalize wagering, sportsbooks continue adding player-focused and micro-betting markets that generate significant betting activity.

Integrity Concerns Continue to Grow Around Player Prop Betting

The MLBPA also argues that individual prop bets present greater integrity risks than traditional game wagers.

Unlike bets on the final outcome, player props depend on isolated events involving a single athlete. That creates more opportunities for suspicious betting activity and potential attempts to influence individual performances.

Those concerns have intensified following several recent gambling investigations involving MLB players. Although those cases varied in scope, they reinforced the league's emphasis on protecting competitive integrity.

Player prop markets have drawn increased attention because isolated statistics can become targets for bettors or bad actors seeking to exploit smaller events during games.

The union believes eliminating these wagers would reduce those vulnerabilities while preserving broader betting options for fans.

MLB has Already Taken Steps to Reduce Betting-related Risks

MLB has introduced several measures to address integrity concerns before the current proposal emerged.

The league previously limited wagering on certain first-pitch prop bets, which many regulators viewed as especially vulnerable to manipulation. Those restrictions aimed to reduce betting opportunities involving isolated actions early in games.

MLB also continues working with sportsbook operators and integrity monitoring services to identify unusual betting activity. These partnerships help detect suspicious wagering patterns before they become larger issues.

The league has maintained strict gambling policies for players, coaches, and team personnel. Violations can result in lengthy suspensions or permanent bans, depending on the circumstances.

In addition to the proposed prop bet ban, the MLBPA reportedly wants clearer rules governing gambling investigations, endorsement opportunities with licensed sportsbooks, administrative leave procedures, and rehabilitation assignments for suspended players.

Proposal Could Reshape Sports Betting on Baseball

If the proposal becomes part of the next CBA, it would significantly change baseball wagering across regulated markets.

Individual player props have become one of the fastest-growing betting products offered by US online sportsbooks. They also serve as key components in same-game parlays and live betting experiences.

Removing those markets would likely reduce sportsbook betting volume while shifting more wagers toward game outcomes, team totals, and other traditional options.

Bettors would still have access to moneylines, run lines, totals, futures, and changing MLB odds throughout the season. However, sportsbooks would no longer offer wagers tied directly to an individual player's statistical performance.

The proposal could also influence other professional sports leagues evaluating the relationship between player safety and sports betting.

For now, the MLBPA's proposal remains part of ongoing CBA negotiations. Whether MLB accepts the measure remains uncertain, but the discussions highlight the increasing challenge of balancing legal sports betting with athlete protection and game integrity.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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