Ohio’s strong gambling industry consists of licensed casino betting, as well as online and retail sports betting. The industry has an economic impact of more than $7 billion, supporting more than 33,000 jobs and generating almost $1.5 billion in tax revenue.
This robust market still has room for growth, with online casino markets one of the hottest topics in the US and in Ohio. At present, consumers must explore offshore alternatives, with high-quality online casinos with instant withdrawals appealing to tech-oriented demographics.
The potential ban on micro prop markets could come as a disappointment to consumers in Ohio, but evidence shows that the industry is still capable of surviving without them.
Micro Prop Betting Explained
Prop betting refers to betting markets on specific actions of a game, including team and player performance. Micro prop betting is a more targeted and fast-paced version of this that is typically associated with live, in-game betting.
While traditional prop bets might cover how many strikes a pitcher might get over the course of a game, micro prop bets can cover markets like whether the next pitch is going to be a strike. The popularity of this market is down to the constant engagement for bettors, the smaller stakes allowed on bets like this, and the ability to bet in a more reactive way, based on how the action is going down.
Micro prop betting has been made possible by real-time data feeds that barely have any lag between updates and real-world action. AI-driven odds models are used to ensure consumers get access to the latest markets as they develop, and mobile app interfaces are designed in a way to optimize decision-making.
The Threat of Micro Prop Betting in Professional Sports
It has emerged that Major League Baseball has been in discussions with sports gaming companies to ban micro prop bets. Governor Mike DeWine’s concerns about the market are that the focused nature of these bets gives individuals the opportunity to influence an outcome.
While it is only Major League Baseball that would see a ban on micro-props betting, other sports can also be impacted, and this could have a far-reaching influence. This comes after news that a current and former NBA player, as well as a head coach, had been arrested for alleged gambling misconduct.
While prop betting markets have proven to be extremely popular among bettors in Ohio, the direct impact and fast pace of micro props have raised concerns. Of course, there is no evidence that micro props have caused players to influence MLB games on a massive scale; however, it is a potential that could lead to a ban.
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians were placed on leave in July as part of a wider gambling investigation.
Questions can also be raised about the performance of honest players, especially when mistakes are made. While this is a natural part of the sports industry, the outcome of every action being scrutinized has the potential to raise questions regarding performance.
DraftKings and FanDuel are two of the largest sports betting operators in the US, and micro prop betting, along with other in-game and live betting markets, account for more than half of the wagers they take.
DeWine is hopeful of a nationwide ban on this type of betting, but if this doesn’t emerge as a possibility, he could petition the OCCC (Ohio Casino Control Commission) to implement a state-wide ban. New rules in the state must be approved by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, a part of the Ohio Legislature, before they would take effect. While this could result in delays, a request from MLB could expedite the process.
Ohio has previous experience in adjusting betting regulations, and prop bets in particular, having banned prop betting that involves college athletes in 2024. DeWine’s primary focus is on Major League Baseball at present, but he would not rule out exploring bans for other sports if the proposal is successful.
The 2025 MLB regular season finished on September 28th, and we are in the thick of the World Series, where fans will be backing their teams before the off-season stretches until March 2026. This should give legislators, MLB officials, and betting operators an opportunity to discuss future plans.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the clear favorite for the World Series title, priced at around 7/2, with the Seattle Mariners their biggest rivals according to experts, at 12/1. The Toronto Blue Jays and the Milwaukee Brewers have a long way to go to overturn odds of around 20/1 and 22/1, respectively, but stranger things have happened in the world of baseball.
This World Series could be the last opportunity for fans to make the most of micro props betting markets before the potential ban. While this would be a disappointment among those who enjoy being able to bet on the game as it happens, there will still be a good selection of live betting markets available.