What is in the Major League Baseball rules that says it is illegal to gamble?

Answer 1

There is nothing in the official MLB rules concerning gambling. The first Commissioner of MLB, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, was appointed after the Black Sox World Series scandal of 1919. He would only accept the position if he had absolute authority over all aspects the game and the owners agreed. Landis is known for coining the phrase "in the best interests of Baseball". Back when he was appointed commissioner, gambling on games by players ran rampant and threatened to destroy the game by putting the thought in the fans minds that the games were not being played fairly. Landis took it upon himself to banish any player that took part in gambling on games in the hopes of proving that the game was played fairly and squarely. Other commissioners have taken the gambling issue a step further and banished players, mostly retired stars, for associating with gambling institutions. Former Commissioner Bowie Kuhn banned Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle for life for working for a casino in New Jersey. They both were reinstated once Kuhn left office by the next commissioner, Peter Ueberroth. Any gambling issue is dealt with solely by the Office of the Commissioner.