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OAKLAND PARK, Fla (Gambling911.com) - There are those who believe betting on this year's Little League World Series is morally reprehensible. Keep in mind, there are also those who believe gambling in general is a sin. One doesn't have to look far if you happen to live in the United States. We're looking at you Utah.
And while never enforced, the state of Washington actually has a law that makes placing an online bet a Class C felony. This should serve as an example as to why overzealous legislation can come back to bite a state in the ass later on as Washington cannot regulate online gambling until this particular law is removed from the books. A Class C felony, in theory at least, can result in up to 5 years in prison.
Further away, there's Brunei, where gambling can bring a BND 10,000 fine and six months in prison.
In Iran, under Article 705 of that nation's Penal Code, gambling can be punished by up to six months in prison and up to 74 lashes. Iran amended the law in 2023 to explicitly cover online betting as well just to stay current, so it's not as if this law was enacted in the year 1535.
BetOnline made headlines this week when they announced - not just that they'll be taking bets on this year's Little League World Series - but they are also offering player props.
"We're not here to say whether gambling on 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds is right or wrong, that's up for you to decide (and possibly write about), we're just delivering the information," BetOnline tells Gambling911.com.
To protect tournament integrity, BetOnline strictly limits maximum wager sizes.
Harassment of both college and pro athletes has become a major issue since the U.S. Supreme Court abolished The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in May of 2018. The leagues, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and state regulators have addressed this issue by primarily focusing on banning player props, mostly at the college level. Some states now ban individuals from attending games if they are found to be verbally abusing players.
Little Leagues are already protected by laws in the U.S. that make the harassment of a minor a potential felony.
Gambling911.com reached out to the Little League World Series for a response in regard to betting on this tournament and have not yet heard back.
The irony is hard to miss. BetOnline endured the wrath of the self-appointed Morality Police a few years back after becoming the first sportsbook to offer betting on the Special Olympics. Fast-forward to 2026, and the Special Olympics itself is now partnering with FanDuel.
That gambling company claimed the partnership focus was on major support for athlete health, wellness, and storytelling initiatives under its "Everyone's Game" inclusion platform.
BetOnline did its part by donating $25,000 to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which were held June 20–26 in Minnesota.
Specifically, BetOnline says it donated: $12,500 to Special Olympics Tennessee and $12,500 to the Hamilton County Special Olympics chapter.
As much as we’d all like to view the Little League World Series as a purely wholesome enterprise, the reality is that it’s still a business — and, like any business, it isn’t without its flaws.
SCANDALS
1992 – Philippines… After they won their first-ever championship, it was later discovered that they forged documents related to ages and places of residence of players. Their championship was taken away.
2001- Bronx, NY…Took 3-place behind pitching sensation Danny Almonte. It was later discovered he 14-years old (two years older than the 12-year old limit).
2014 – USA champ Jackie Robinson West out of Chicago had to forfeit their title after it was discovered that they were using ineligible players from outside of their area.
2026 – Tulsa team was DQ’d from Regionals due to allegedly using ineligible players.
BIG BUSINESS
LLWS has assets of about $80M
CEO of LLWS reportedly makes around $500,000.
ESPN pays over $17M annually to LLWS to broadcast (could be more now as they broadcast regional games for the first time and also did full LLSWS)
Despite all of this big money, the players make $0.00, even in today’s age of NIL.
They do get travel expenses and room/board/SWAG, BUT their immediate family must pay their own way.
Everyone is making big profits except the talent.
Something to consider before unleashing all that faux outrage and vitriol at BetOnline over a $5 bet on one of these young athletes.
This year's Little League World Series was kicking off at 1 pm EDT Wednesday.
Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
