Concerns Rise as Offshore Sportsbooks Allow Betting on Little League World Series

Recent reports reveal that offshore sportsbooks, such as BetOnline Sports & Casino, are offering betting options on the outcomes of the Little League World Series (LLWS), an annual tournament featuring ten- to twelve-year-old baseball players from around the globe. This move has sparked significant concern regarding the ethical implications of gambling on children’s sports.

State-regulated sportsbooks and federally regulated prediction markets, including Kalshi and Polymarket, do not permit such bets, though Polymarket did briefly allow LLWS wagers in 2024. However, BetOnline, which is not bound by U.S. regulations, announced its decision to provide odds for the LLWS due to what it describes as “massive demand.” BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason stated in a press release that bettors wagered twice as much money on LLWS outcomes in 2025 compared to the previous year. He added, “Our customers request these odds every year, and we’ll take more bets on the LLWS over the next two weeks than on established markets such as the WNBA, Major League Soccer, pro tennis or golf.”

Mason also noted in a post on X that interest in the LLWS has surpassed that of certain Major League Baseball games, particularly highlighting a matchup between teams from South Korea and Canada.

In response to the growing trend of youth sports betting, the LLWS organization reiterated its stance on sports gambling. The organization’s statement emphasized the importance of the tournament as a safe environment where children learn the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, and integrity. “No one should be exploiting the success and failures of children playing the game they love for their own personal gain,” the statement read.

While the legality of such bets remains under scrutiny, the ethics surrounding gambling on children’s sports continue to be a contentious issue as sports fans and organizations advocate for a cultural reset in how youth events are handled.