Ohio bans man from betting over alleged threats to John Schneider
Order bars retail and online wagering in Ohio after a World Series customer-service call
Key Takeaways
- The Ohio Casino Control Commission approved the exclusion of Blake Morgan on 21 October 2026.
- The order prohibits Morgan from betting on Ohio retail sportsbooks and online platforms.
- Major League Baseball had already banned Morgan from stadiums on 30 October 2025 after its investigation.
- Morgan has 15 days from notification to file a notice of appeal with the commission.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission on 21 October 2026 approved the exclusion of Blake Morgan from retail sportsbooks and the state’s online platforms after alleged threats against John Schneider during the 2025 World Series. Morgan has 15 days from notification to file a notice of appeal with the commission.
Reason for the exclusion
The decision is based on a recording of a customer-service call during the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, in that recording Morgan made “harassing and threatening statements” about John Schneider after seeing footage discussing how Toronto would face Shohei Ohtani.
Prior actions and independent authority
Major League Baseball (MLB) had already indefinitely barred Morgan from its stadiums and venues following its own investigation, a ban imposed on 30 October 2025. The commission stated that its independent duty to protect betting integrity applies regardless of league sanctions; it rejected Morgan’s claim that an MLB investigator told him he would face no further action, finding no evidence of that conversation.
Scope and evidence
The order covers both in-person wagers and online betting in Ohio. Morgan also submitted a video he said differed from the footage that prompted the MLB complaint. ESPN obtained the recording through a public-records request; the report attributed it to journalist David Purdum.
Timelines and remedies
Morgan has 15 days from notification to file an appeal with the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ban did Ohio impose on Blake Morgan?
Ohio excluded Blake Morgan from retail sportsbooks and the state’s online betting platforms; the Ohio Casino Control Commission approved the order on 21 October 2026.
Had MLB already acted against Blake Morgan?
Yes. Major League Baseball had indefinitely barred Morgan from its stadiums and venues on 30 October 2025 after its investigation.
What evidence did the commission rely on for the exclusion?
The commission relied on a recording of a customer-service call during the 2025 World Series in which it says Morgan made “harassing and threatening statements” about John Schneider; ESPN obtained the recording via a public-records request.
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About the author
Renata Quiroga
Betting Markets Correspondent
Renata Quiroga covers sports betting and prediction markets — sportsbook launches, odds technology, event contracts, and the regulatory calls that decide what can be bet on and where. The reports open with the product or the ruling, name operators and platforms precisely, and explain the mechanics without needless jargon. When a book enters a Latin American market or a prediction exchange lists a contested contract, Renata Quiroga reports what changes for the bettor.
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