(Image source: WENN)

BY STEFANIE REDDING

ANCHOR ALLIE SPILLYARDS

You're watching multisource entertainment news analysis from Newsy.

Baseball player Alex Rodriguez is under investigation -- from allegations that he participated in illegal poker games.

“Major League Baseball is investigating Alex Rodriguez to see if he played in high stake games, along side names like Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Leonardo DiCaprio.”

In order for a poker game to be played for money - legally - it has to take place in a licenced facility.

MassLive reports - the games in question, were not.

“The games were typically held in Beverly Hills Calif. hotels which were unlicensed for gambling. While illegal, it's a crime that is rarely prosecuted.”

How did the MLB catch wind of A-Rod’s involvement. Well, it started with Spiderman actor Tobey McGuire - and the investigation led to the baseball star.

Radar Online writes...

“...[a] court-appointed trustee for the Hollywood celebrity poker lawsuits tried to privately settle with Tobey Maguire, and other parties... However, all attempts to do so were unsuccessful and trustee Howard Ehrenberg was forced to file against the Spider-man star and other Hollywood bigwigs.”
 
So what happens to A-Rod if the MLB finds that he was involved? Well CBS sports explains what happened last time when Rodriguez was involved in illegal gambling

“A-Rod was warned in 2005 by baseball that his involvement in illegal poker games in New York was dangerous and could affect his image...Rodriguez was not punished or told to stay out of the clubs, but commissioner Bud Selig was …. ‘keeping an eye’ on Rodriguez and would get involved ‘if necessary.’”

When asked about the allegations Rodriguez refused to comment, saying -- he just wanted to focus on baseball.

Follow @Newsy_Videos on Twitter

Get more multisource video news analysis from Newsy

Transcript by Newsy