• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 17, 2025

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

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Dylan Larkin (21) plays the puck and Team Canada forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) defends in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre

NHL Has Huge Ratings Hit With U.S.-Canada 4 Nations Face-Off

The ratings mark a massive hit for the league’s new event.
Formula-1-cars-USA-Grand-Prix

ESPN Reportedly Losing F1 Rights; NBC and Netflix in Talks

The network has broadcast the sport in the U.S. since 2018.

Notre Dame Latest CFB Team to Hire GM From NFL

Notre Dame has hired a Lions front office executive.

DraftKings Turns First Full-Year Profit, Stock Up 47% in 2025

The company’s sports betting business continues to grow despite headwinds.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
February 15, 2025

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Jon Batiste

Sportsbooks Split on Hotly Disputed Super Bowl National Anthem Prop Bet

FanDuel and DraftKings split on the national anthem duration.
Josh Allen
February 6, 2025

Polymarket Whale Made Huge Late Bets On Josh Allen Winning NFL MVP

Allen’s odds skyrocketed from the 50s to over 90% on Thursday afternoon.
Andy Reid
February 9, 2025

Sportsbooks Call for Tighter Regulations on Prediction Markets

Sports betting and sports event contracts are treated differently—for now.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles helmets at the Caesars Superdome prior to Super Bowl LIX.
February 6, 2025

Amid ‘Record’ Super Bowl Betting, Market’s Two Largest Forces Still Reign

FanDuel and DraftKings still dominate the ever-expanding space.
Aug 22, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) talks with home plate umpire Pat Hoberg as Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) adjusts his PitchCom device during the second inning at Minute Maid Park.
February 3, 2025

MLB Fires Umpire Pat Hoberg: Third Gambling Scandal in Under a Year

The league terminates the umpire for failing to uphold the game’s integrity.
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) walks off the field after winning the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.
February 3, 2025

Robinhood Suspends Rollout of Super Bowl Betting After CFTC Request

Robinhood has suspended trading of event contracts on the Super Bowl.
Terry Rozier
January 30, 2025

Feds Investigating Terry Rozier for NBA Point Shaving

Rozier is eyed in the same investigation that snagged Jontay Porter.