- Former MLB star and current Canadian Baseball League player, Yasiel Puig, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while he awaits federal sentencing.
- His bankruptcy filing comes after federal agents revealed Puig owed more than $1 million in unpaid gambling debts to illegal bookmakers.
- Puig’s facing 15 years for lying to federal officials regarding his illegal betting and obstructing justice.
MIAMI – After racking up more than $1 million in illegal betting debt, Yasiel Puig filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Florida. The former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder awaits sentencing stemming from his illegal sports betting allegations, which includes making false statements to federal investigators and obstruction of justice.
Puig earned over $50 million in the MLB across his seven-year career, spending six of those with the Los Angeles Dodgers before playing for the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians in 2019. That same year is when prosecutors claim Puig falsely stated that he never participated in illegal gambling, nor has he financially benefited from illegal gambling in his immigration paperwork.
Yasiel Puig’s Illegal Betting Allegations
Later evidence revealed that Puig was placing bets in May of 2019, allegedly losing $282,900 that month before paying $200,000 to start betting again. He never bet on MLB games, but prosecutors allege he placed nearly 900 wagers on tennis, basketball, and football games between July 4 and Sept. 29 in 2019.
Puig accumulated more than $1 million in unpaid gambling debt during that time, even betting before or after MLB games. He was questioned about his relationship with an illegal sports betting ring in 2019, but prosecutors claim he lied to investigators regarding his involvement.
In 2022, Puig agreed to plead guilty for making false statements, but he ultimately withdrew his plea which resulted in a federal indictment in 2023. The ongoing legal battle didn’t stop Puig from joining the Toronto Maple Leafs of the Canadian Baseball League in 2026, where he’s batting .391 with eight home runs in 20 games.
Puig was found guilty of charges in February and he now awaits sentencing. Prosecutors seek an 18-month sentence, a $55,000 fine, and three years of probation.
