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OAKLAND PARK, Fla (Gambling911.com) - Canada continues to shock at this year's Little League World Series as they more recently knocked out favorite to win South Korea. They pay out $206 for every $100 bet for Wednesday's game against Japan.
These teams will play at 5:00 p.m. ET at Volunteer Stadium on ESPN, and the loser is eliminated.
Canada is Little Mountain Little League of Vancouver, British Columbia, while Japan is Joto Little League of Tokyo. Canada has become one of the surprise teams of the tournament, while Japan is trying to continue a national LLWS tradition that includes 11 world championships.
Tensei Yazawa is probably the first player I'd highlight for Japan.
Yesterday against Mexico, Yazawa delivered five innings with seven strikeouts in Japan's 3-1 victory. That's exactly the type of pitching performance Japan needed in an elimination game.
Kian Sandhu is the Canadian player I'd watch most closely.
Yesterday against South Korea, Sandhu repeatedly pitched himself out of danger. He inherited/encountered bases-loaded situations and ultimately preserved Canada's 5-1 lead, including getting out of another bases-loaded situation in the sixth with the tying run at the plate.
Not everyone is on board with betting on the LLWS. That includes the organizers themselves.
The Little League World Series issued the following statement to Gambling911.com:
"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."
Some say there is no place for people profiting off of 12-year-olds, while others argue that Little League, ESPN and supporting sponsors are doing just that.
And now we are learning that BetOnline has offered to stop taking bets on the LLWS, with one condition.
BetOnline Sports & Casino, the brand that sets the annual Little League World Series odds, is offering a truce. The sportsbook says it will pull all betting lines in 2027, but only if Little League International agrees to one condition: Pay the participants.
"We understand why some people are uncomfortable with betting on kids, but if the discomfort is really about profiting off 12-year-olds, that conversation shouldn't start and end with us," BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason said. "Little League, ESPN and the tournament's sponsors are cashing in every August...the difference is nobody's asked them to share that revenue. So, here's our offer: commit to paying the players and families, who comprise the core of this incredible tournament, and we'll commit to taking Little League off our board in 2027."
The ball is in Little League's court, but for now, there will be betting, BetOnline advised Gambling911.com.
LLBWS U.S. Champion
Iowa -150
Ohio +300
Nevada +525
Alabama +600
LLBWS International Champion
Curacao -125
Japan +250
Nicaragua +275
Canada +2000
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
