Ohio says it has banned a gambler from state-sanctioned sports betting after he made violent threats against a Major League Baseball manager.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission said in an order for involuntary exclusion from gambling that Blake Morgan “made harassing and threatening statements about Toronto Blue Jays Manager John Schneider while on a phone call with MLB’s customer service line.”
Geoff Zochodne, a reporter for Covers, first reported the news on the social media platform X.
Recorded Evidence
According to the OCCC, Morgan’s statements were recorded and included threats of violence or harm against Schneider, who was at the time involved in the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The threats were tied to Morgan’s bets, though the public notice didn’t detail them.
The state said that MLB had banned him from all MLB “stadiums, offices, academies, and other facilities.”
Morgan made several objections to the involuntary exclusion in Ohio, but the state rejected them all.
“The threats of violence or harm that Morgan aimed at the Toronto Blue Jays manager speak for themselves, pose a threat to the interests of the State, and fundamentally imperil the integrity of sports gaming and the health and welfare of the participants in sporting events.”
Why It Matters
In July 2025, a U.S. News survey found that 21% of sports bettors admitted to “verbally abusing” an athlete, whether online or at a sports event. It was self-reported behavior.
The sports betting survey did not ask about verbal abuse or threats directed at others involving a sports team or league, such as managers, referees, or umpires.
Gambling-related threats against these individuals are not specifically part of clinical criteria for gambling addiction, but they’re a possible sign of problem sports gambling.
In 2025, former Padres Manager Mike Shildt cited death threats from sports gamblers as one reason for his early retirement.
In 2021, Benjamin Patz, who rose to internet fame as “Parlay Patz” for his high-stakes wagers, pleaded guilty to transmitting threats in interstate or foreign commerce. He made violent death threats against MLB players but avoided prison.
Recently, a gambler reportedly lost his job after sending verbal abuse to a WNBA player.
The NCAA has found high rates of gambling-related abuse directed at student-athletes across many sports.
