Little League Releases Statement Against Betting

As the 2025 Little League World Series begins in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Little League International released a statement on Thursday, Aug. 14, rejecting any form of betting on its youth baseball games or any youth sports event.

While Little League International acknowledges that sports betting has grown substantially over the years, it reiterated that gambling should not be associated with any youth athletics event. 

“We feel strongly that there is no place for betting on Little League games or on any youth sports competition,” the statement reads. “No one should be exploiting the successes and failures of children playing the game they love for their own personal gain.”

The league restated its central mission to provide a safe environment where children can grow and develop their knowledge of the fundamentals of baseball and learn enduring skills such as integrity, sportsmanship, and teamwork — all while enjoying the fun of competition.

SportsTalkPhilly.com noted that while sports betting is legal and regulated in many areas of the United States, no licensed U.S. sportsbook offers betting on Little League games. This practice aligns with a long-running regulatory standard that outlaws betting or wagering on events involving children. 

While betting on the Little League World Series is outlawed in the United States, according to the New York Post,overseas sportsbooks like Bovada and BetOnline have continued to engage in betting for the games.