A California congressman is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Treasury Department to investigate potential violations of federal laws by offshore sportsbooks that allowed US consumers to bet on the 2026 Little League World Series (LLWS).
Rep. Kevin Kiley, an independent aligned with the Republican Party, has called for an investigation by Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent into the gambling activities on the LLWS. This request follows reports that offshore sportsbooks were offering betting lines on the tournament held in Williamsport, Pa.
The systematic exploitation of children is a genuine concern to myself and the members of my committee. I’m reaching out today to request an investigation by your respective agencies so we can put an end to this obvious abuse, and if laws were broken to secure swift prosecution of the offending parties,” Kiley wrote in the letter first obtained by USA Today Sports.
Kiley leads the House Education Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Big Bets on Little League Baseball
During the 2026 LLWS held from Aug. 19 to Aug. 30, offshore sportsbooks were observed offering odds on the tournament. These lines sometimes attracted more bets than Major League Baseball games on the same day.
These developments led Little League International to issue a statement for the second consecutive year denouncing illegal betting on the games.
Little League International stands by its statement first issued last year that there is no place for betting on Little League games and players or any youth sports competition. Little League is a trusted place where children are learning the fundamentals of the games and all the important life lessons that come with having fun, celebrating teamwork, and playing with integrity, and no one should be exploiting the success and failures of children playing the game they love for their own personal gain,” the organization said.
Neither legal state-regulated sportsbooks nor federally regulated prediction markets are authorized to accept bets on Little League baseball or any youth sports. However, consumers can easily access illegal offshore sportsbooks online.
“We have existing laws that may well be implicated, so that’s why we got the Department of Justice to look at it. I hope that they will undertake an investigation to see whether laws have been broken now, what tools they have to bring this process to an end, and if it’s found that there’s no existing legal authority or tools to stop it, then to work on appropriate legislation to provide that authority,” Kiley told USA Today Sports.
Offshore sportsbooks establish their businesses in jurisdictions favorable to remote online gambling, such as Costa Rica, Curacao, Panama, Malta, Anjouan, and Isle of Man, and then target consumers globally.
Little League Controversies
Betting on Little League games isn’t the only issue causing scandal for the national organization in recent months.
In September 2025, a Connecticut man and longtime Little League treasurer reportedly committed suicide after stealing at least $165,000 from the organization to gamble online.
In June, a Massachusetts town official was indicted for allegedly embezzling $250,000 from the Little League for gambling.
In July, a Little League president in Las Vegas faced accusations of misusing chapter funds at casinos and strip clubs.