Ohio’s Casino Control Commission voted on Oct. 21 to add Blake Morgan of Thornville to its Sports Gaming Involuntary Exclusion List, barring him from the state’s legal gambling market. The action followed allegations that Morgan threatened Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider in a call to Major League Baseball after Game 4 of the 2025 World Series.
Casino.org reported that the call lasted 14 minutes and included allegations that Schneider had misled gamblers over Shohei Ohtani’s walk totals. Schneider had pitched to Ohtani despite previously indicating he might intentionally walk him. Morgan allegedly said Schneider and his family could have profited from betting activity, although there was no evidence to support those accusations.
Morgan allegedly threatened to attend a later World Series game and assault Schneider on live television. He also allegedly claimed to have Schneider’s home address and personal information, and warned that members of the public could act unless MLB intervened.
MLB investigators traced the call to Morgan. He initially acknowledged making it and said he was angry over Schneider’s comments, while denying any intention to travel to Toronto or Los Angeles to confront the manager. MLB barred Morgan indefinitely from its stadiums and events two days after identifying him.
Morgan later said someone visiting his home had used his phone. He requested a hearing before Ohio regulators but did not appear in June. It was unclear whether he faced criminal charges.
Ohio law requires the commission to create exclusion lists covering casino facilities, sports-gaming facilities and participation in sports gaming. The statute permits the commission to exclude people who threaten violence or harm against someone involved in a sporting event when the threat is related to sports gaming. It also provides for notice and, generally, a 30-day period in which a person may request an adjudication hearing.
The law describes exclusion as necessary to protect the state’s interest in strict and effective regulation of gambling. If a hearing or appeal finds that exclusion is unwarranted, the commission must revise the list and notify affected sports-gaming proprietors.
The case comes amid wider concern about betting-related abuse of sports figures. MLB security chief David Thomas told Ohio regulators that threats against players, coaches and their families had risen since states began legalizing sports betting in 2018. In September, six major sports leagues urged gambling regulators to take tougher action against abusive bettors.
