• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
One Day till Tuned In! Get a Last Second Ticket!

Could Baseball’s Slow Pace Spark Increased In-Game Betting?

  • MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred sees in-game prop betting as a growth area.
  • But Darren Rovell thinks the promise of in-game betting is overblown.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Baseball’s slow pace of play has become a problem for the Grand Old Game.

But MLB commissioner Rob Manfrend thinks the leisurely pace could generate an in-game betting boom. 

MLB games averaged a record 3 hours, 10 minutes, 7 seconds last season. 

On the other hand, all the pitching changes provide downtime to bet. That could boost fan engagement, according to Manfred.

“I do think in-game betting is going to be a significant component. I think if you talk to people who are experts in the field, they don’t see outcome betting as a major growth area,” said Manfred on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “It is in fact in-game betting, so-called prop betting, that is going to be the growth area. And most of that betting is going to take place on mobile devices.”

Not so fast, warns Darren Rovell of Action Network. 

With roughly 12 minutes of action over 3 hour-plus games, the NFL’s better suited to in-game betting than baseball.

“There are major shifts in odds on singular plays – and a chance for both the book and the bettor to get in,” Rovell said.

With baseball, he doesn’t see gamblers “micro-betting” pitch-by-pitch. But they could gamble on which team will win the game, total runs scored, or the score after the 5th inning.  

“I actually think we may be overplaying ‘[slow] speed is going to help baseball.’ It’s better than soccer. But I’m not sure it’s really that accretive,” said Rovell.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Ken Rosenthal: I Apologized to Photog After Knocking Him Over

Rosenthal backpedaled into the photographer to avoid a Gatorade shower.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

FanDuel, Jaguars Reach $5M Deal Over Employee Theft

A Jaguars employee stole $20 million and gambled much of it with FanDuel.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Adoree' Jackson (8) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) during the third quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 5, 2025

Kalshi’s $27M NFL Opener Runs Into Tribal Challenge

California Tribes want Kalshi forced to implement geofencing.
Sep 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) rushes the ball past Minnesota Vikings safety Theo Jackson (26) during the second half at Soldier Field.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

Americans See Little Difference Between Prediction Markets and Betting

A survey found 85% of respondents believe sports event contracts are gambling.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Eagles
September 4, 2025

FanDuel Paying $80K for Eagles Trains Amid Transit Funding Fight

The gambling company is giving stopgap transit funding in Philadelphia.
Sep 1, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; TCU Horned Frogs tight end DJ Rogers (0) catches a touchdown pass as North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Kaleb Cost (21) defends in the fourth quarter at Kenan Stadium.
September 3, 2025

Polymarket Moves Closer to Reentering the U.S.

There’s yet more prediction markets momentum as the NFL season kicks off.
during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, August 31, 2025.
September 2, 2025

Underdog Bets on Prediction Markets With Crypto.com Deal

Sports event contracts will be offered in 16 states.
Rob Bonta
August 29, 2025

Users Sue Daily Fantasy Companies After California Calls Them Illegal

Underdog Sports and Boom Fantasy were separately sued.