The case is a very public example of the fine line sports leagues are walking regarding sports gambling. Professional leagues have resisted any association with gambling for decades, but that has changed since a Supreme Court ruling six years ago led 38 states to now allow legalized gambling in sports. (California is not one of them.)
Now leagues are taking millions of dollars from casinos and bookmakers, and advertising from sports gambling companies is ubiquitous in stadiums and on game broadcasts. However, leagues are concerned with protecting the integrity of their games and the perception that players betting on games can influence their performance. Therefore, players are not allowed to bet on their own sports or, in some cases, any sports.
Baseball has had several historically notable gambling scandals, including Pete Rose in the late 1980s and the 1919 Chicago Black Sox, making the situation particularly sensitive.
Tyler Hatcher, special agent in charge of the IRS criminal investigations unit involved in the case, said “protecting sports at the highest levels” is a priority of the federal government.
Estrada said the investigation moved so quickly because of high public interest and questions circulating about Ohtani’s connection to the case. Ohtani, 29, has been a major league phenom since arriving in the United States from his native Japan in 2018. He throws and hits for power, drawing comparisons to greats like Babe Ruth. He was a two-time Most Valuable Player during six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.