Ohio Bans Bettor Over Threats To Blue Jays Manager

The Ohio Casino Control Commission has banned a bettor from sports gaming in the state after he made threats against Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider during the 2025 World Series. The commission voted on October 21, 2026 to add the man to its Sports Gaming Involuntary Exclusion List, and the Canton Repository reported that the threats were tied to his sports wagering.

According to the commission's order, Blake Morgan, of Thornville in Perry County, made harassing and threatening statements about Schneider on a phone call to Major League Baseball's customer service line. The call was recorded. The order dates the threats to around October 28, 2025, while the Blue Jays were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and describes them as threats of violence or harm.

The commission said Major League Baseball notified it of the matter and supplied witness testimony and evidence. MLB had already banned Morgan from its stadiums, offices, academies and other facilities. Morgan asked for a hearing and raised objections, but the commission rejected them and voted to exclude him.

What Exclusion Means

The commission's involuntary exclusion programme lets it remove people who pose a threat to the integrity of casino and sports gaming. Anyone on the list is barred from entering any casino facility and from taking part in sports gaming anywhere in Ohio.

Interim Executive Director Andromeda Morrison said the league's partnership was instrumental in bringing the matter before the commission. 

She added that sports gaming should be conducted responsibly and that any act threatening harm or violence against sports participants because of wagering will not be tolerated. The commission said it remains committed to preserving the integrity of sports gaming in Ohio.

Why It Matters For Ohio Bettors

Ohio's regulated sportsbooks market launched on January 1, 2023, and licensed operators now take bets from across the state. The exclusion shows the regulator is willing to act on conduct that happens away from a betting app, in this case a call to a league's customer service line, when it is linked to wagering.

Abuse of athletes and officials over bets has been a concern for leagues. In this case, the sanction followed cooperation between a league and a state regulator. The public notice did not detail the bets that prompted the call.

Anyone in Ohio who is struggling with gambling can call the Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-589-9966. The commission's own site also lists the Time Out Ohio and Pause Before You Play programmes for people who want to take a break from betting.

The commission has not said whether Morgan can appeal the decision or when he could ask to be removed from the list. It also did not say whether any other action is being considered. For now, the order stands.