Toronto, Ontario – The NBA has handed down a lifetime ban to Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for breaching the league’s gambling regulations.
The league’s decision was announced on Wednesday, following an investigation that revealed Porter’s involvement in disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, adjusting his own game performance for betting purposes, and placing bets on NBA games. Porter’s actions included purposely limiting his participation in a game against the Sacramento Kings to impact the outcome of bets on his performance.
Furthermore, Porter shared confidential health information with a known NBA bettor before a game, leading to a bet being placed against him. The investigation also uncovered that Porter had placed multiple bets on NBA games using someone else’s account, totaling over $54,000.
As a result of the ban, Porter, 24, has been sidelined since the NBA’s investigation began in March. The Raptors removed him from the lineup ahead of a game against the Brooklyn Nets, and he has not returned to play since.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hinted at the possibility of a ban for Porter a week prior to the announcement. Silver emphasized the seriousness of gambling on NBA games and the potential severe consequences players face for such actions.
The prevalence of legal sports gambling in the U.S. has raised concerns about professional athletes engaging in gambling activities. While punishments like suspensions have been imposed in the NFL for similar offenses, lifetime bans, like the one given to Porter, remain rare.
Porter’s ban places him among the few professional athletes, including former MLB player Pete Rose, who have faced lifetime bans for gambling on their respective sports. The NBA’s decision serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that players may face for violating the league’s policies.