Little League Baseball Implores Gamblers Not to Bet on Little League World Series

^{Despite a ban in the U.S., sportsbooks continue to offer unregulated betting on Little League games, drawing backlash from the sport’s organizers. (Photo: Jeffrey Isaac Greenberg / Alamy)}

This week in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, children aged 10 to 12 from around the globe are competing in the Little League World Series. But while Little League Baseball wants fans to watch the games on television and celebrate the achievements of the young athletes, there’s one activity it wants to keep far away from the tournament: gambling.

Little League Baseball released a statement this week condemning the practice of betting on the Little League World Series.

Offshore Sportsbooks Offer LLWS Odds

No regulated sportsbooks in the United States that offer betting on the event, which has been a popular televised pastime for several decades now. While each state has its own rules on sports betting, none allow wagers at any level below college sports, and regulations often preventing betting if a significant number (or any) of the participants are under the age of 18. Even gambling at the collegiate level has come under more scrutiny, with many states banning prop bets on NCAA sports.

But despite that prohibition, there are options out there for gamblers who want to bet on a contest between teams from Aruba and Panama or Hawaii and Connecticut. Most notably, BetOnline.ag, based out of Panama, has offered such bets for each of the last four tournaments. Bets are generally limited to straight moneyline wagers on which team will win.

But even that limited wagering is anathema to Little League Baseball, which has asked gamblers and sportsbooks to stay away from the children competing for a World Series title.

“While Little League International continues to monitor the complexity and ever-evolving world of sports betting, we feel strongly that there is no place for betting on Little League games or on any youth sports competition,” Little League posted in a statement on social media. “Little League is a trusted place where children are learning the fundamentals of the games and all the important life lessons that come with having fun, celebrating teamwork, and playing with integrity, and no one should be exploiting the success and failures of children playing the game they love for their own personal gain.”

Little League Betting Remains Popular, BetOnline Says

And yet, it appears that the world enjoys betting on these preteen sluggers. According to BetOnline.ag, best on the Little League World Series bring in a significant handle over the course of the tournament.

“The Little League World Series is an exciting tournament that our customers absolutely love to watch, and we get requests from them every year around this time to offer odds,” BetOnline brand manager Dave Mason said in a statement, according to USA Today. “This will probably be shocking to hear, but we’ll take more bets on these Little League games than we will on any professional tennis or soccer match over the next two weeks.”

Much of the objection to such betting has to do with moral questions about gambling on children. However, there’s a more pragmatic concern as well: young children may be particularly vulnerable to pressure or incentives to throw games, creating an integrity issue for the Little League World Series. 

The Little League World Series was founded in 1947, and has included international regions since 1958. While the vast majority of participants are boys, girls have occasionally played on teams since 1984, with one girl participating in each of the last five tournaments. The 2024 tournament was won by a team from Lake Mary, Florida, which defeated a team from Taiwan 2-1 in the championship game.