Bettor Banned for Threatening to Attack Blue Jays Manager on Live TV

An Ohio sports bettor has been banished from the state’s gambling market after allegedly threatening to knock Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider’s head off on live television in a furious World Series tirade. The threats against Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, above, highlight an increasingly ugly side of America’s sports betting boom. (Image: Kevin Sousa/Getty) Blake Morgan, of Thornville, Ohio, apparently wasn’t impressed with Schneider’s tactical decisions during last year’s showdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers. So he picked up the phone to complain to Major League Baseball (MLB). The baseball fan then allegedly launched into a 14-minute rant involving accusations of match-fixing and threats of physical violence. The Ohio Casino Control Commission voted October 21 to place Morgan on its Sports Gaming Involuntary Exclusion List, effectively shutting him out of the state’s legal gambling market. Morgan denies making the threats. ‘Gambling Grab’ The trouble began during Game 4 of the 2025 World Series, when Schneider decided to pitch to Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani despite previously suggesting he might intentionally walk him. The decision reportedly sent Morgan into a rage. According to ESPN, he accused Schneider of deliberately misleading gamblers who had wagered thousands of dollars on Ohtani’s walk totals. “That was a gambling grab. This game is not legit,” he complained, suggesting the manager and his family might have profited from the betting action. There is no evidence to support those allegations. But the caller wasn’t finished. He allegedly threatened to attend a subsequent World Series game and assault Schneider in front of millions of television viewers. “Do I need to go to the game and on live TV and you know knock the dude’s f—in’ head off right now on live TV so everyone can see that?” he demanded, according to ESPN. He also claimed to possess the manager’s home address and personal information, warning that members of the public would take matters into their own hands unless MLB intervened. Call Traced MLB investigators traced the call to Morgan, who initially acknowledged making it and admitted he was angry about Schneider’s comments, according to regulatory testimony. He insisted, however, that he had no intention of actually traveling to Toronto or Los Angeles to confront the manager. MLB wasn’t taking any chances. It banned him indefinitely from its stadiums and events just two days later. Morgan subsequently changed his story, claiming somebody visiting his home had used his phone. He requested a hearing before Ohio regulators but failed to appear in June. It remains unclear whether he faces criminal charges. Surge in Threats MLB security chief David Thomas told Ohio regulators that threats against players, coaches, and their families have surged since states began legalizing sports betting in 2018. In September, six major sports leagues urged gambling regulators to take tougher action against abusive bettors. Ohio became the first state to introduce specific regulatory powers targeting threatening bettors in 2023. The post Bettor Banned for Threatening to Attack Blue Jays Manager on Live TV appeared first on Casino.org.