The Ohio Casino Control Commission has decided to ban a bettor after he threatened Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider during last year's World Series. This decision comes after the Ohio resident, whose name is Blake Morgan, allegedly made threats concerning Schneider's handling of a game involving LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
The incident unfolded on October 28, 2025, when Morgan called Major League Baseball’s customer service line to express his anger about Schneider's comments during a televised interview. Morgan claimed that Schneider lied about plans to intentionally walk Ohtani and asserted that large sums had been wagered on that betting premise. He expressed his belief that the game was not legitimate due to the Blue Jays’ decision to pitch to Ohtani instead.
Following the threatening call, MLB took action and banned Morgan indefinitely from all league facilities. The Ohio Casino Control Commission responded by holding a hearing at Morgan's request and subsequently voting to place him on the state’s Sports Gaming Involuntary Exclusion List.
OCCC Executive Director Andromeda Morrison emphasized that sports gaming must be conducted responsibly, highlighting that threats of violence or harm to sports participants due to wagering will not be condoned. The commission aims to maintain the integrity of sports gaming in Ohio and will enforce measures against violators.
During the call, Morgan alleged that Schneider’s actions were a “gambling grab” designed to mislead bettors and claimed people wagered “multiple thousands of dollars” based on the assumption that Ohtani would be intentionally walked. Morgan hinted at the possibility of violence by stating he had knowledge of Schneider's personal information and suggested possible physical actions against him.
The issue of bettor abuse has gained attention recently, with MLB and other major sports leagues advocating for stricter measures to combat harassment linked to sports betting. Just last month, MLB joined forces with its counterparts in other sports to call for lifetime bans for bettors who display abusive behavior. They urged regulators to establish a uniform reporting system and to share lists of banned bettors among states.
In terms of ongoing discussions, the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) reported that they proposed a ban on prop bets to Congress, aimed at enhancing safety for players and their families. However, they indicated that MLB had been resistant to the proposal, although negotiations continue with the goal of addressing potential harassment issues stemming from betting activities.
