Gambling on the Little League World Series? Sports bettors have gone too far
Have we tried turning off society and turning it back on again?
Sports betting providers have taken their activities to an unprecedented level by allowing wagers on the Little League World Series (LLWS). This LLWS is an annual, globally televised tournament where young baseball players, aged ten to twelve, compete against each other. Although the event is generally wholesome, the fact that adults are betting on the outcomes of such a children's competition is deeply concerning.
State-regulated sportsbooks and federally regulated prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket, do not allow gambling on the LLWS. However, offshore sportsbooks like BetOnline Sports & Casino, which operate outside U.S. laws, are happy to cater to this demand. According to BetOnline's Brand Manager, Dave Mason, the company saw a significant increase in LLWS betting in 2025 compared to 2024, with bettors wagering twice as much money this year as they did the previous year.
Mason revealed that the number of bets placed on LLWS matchups, such as the one between teams from South Korea and Canada, exceeded those on established markets like the WNBA, Major League Soccer, pro tennis, or golf.
In light of the surge in LLWS betting, the LLWS issued a statement reminding everyone of the organization's values. The statement emphasized that Little League is a place where children learn essential life lessons, such as teamwork, integrity, and having fun, and that no one should exploit the success and failures of children for personal gain. In this case, it is evident that betting on kids is anything but sporting and is an affront to the spirit of the Little League World Series.
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