In official betting, the bookmaker sets odds on specific outcomes in a game. The odds on each outcome are determined by the amount of money bet on it versus the bookmaker’s return rate, which determines how much of a profit the bet will yield. Odds on games are constantly changing. The more money bet on an outcome, the lower the odds will become.
All in-uniform MLB players, team staff members (including coaches and managers), and league employees are prohibited from betting on MLB games or other events sanctioned by the WBSC. This includes multisport competitions such as the Olympics. The prohibition also extends to a player’s participation on a national baseball team.
Players and league personnel can place wagers outside of their home teams’ facilities, but they cannot do so inside any team facilities or when they are traveling on business with their clubs. In addition, they cannot place any NBA-related wagers. However, this does not include Super Bowl squares, NCAA tournament brackets and other non-NBA pools that pay out cash prizes.
Those ineligible to place bets are subject to a postseason screening process, which looks for criminal charges or convictions that involve gambling and/or sports wagering. The MLB will not rehire any officials who have been found guilty of such offenses. Those who have been found guilty of match-fixing are banned from the sport, and anyone who has provided inside information that could be used for gambling purposes is also banned.