Current:Home > FinanceOttawa’s Shane Pinto suspended 41 games, becomes the 1st modern NHL player banned for gambling -RiskRadar
Ottawa’s Shane Pinto suspended 41 games, becomes the 1st modern NHL player banned for gambling
View
Date:2025-04-14 02:36:48
The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games on Thursday, making the 22-year-old American the first modern-day hockey player banned for sports gambling.
The league said the half-season ban was for “activities relating to sports wagering” and that its investigation found no evidence Pinto bet on NHL games. It did not release other details, including what Pinto did or how he was caught.
“I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans and city of Ottawa and most importantly my family,” Pinto said in a statement released by the team. “I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”
Pinto is not appealing the suspension, part of an agreement among the league, player and NHL Players’ Association to resolve the situation. The league said it considers the matter closed, barring any new information in the case.
Coach D.J. Smith told reporters at the team’s morning skate in New York that the Senators would help Pinto and welcome him back with open arms when he’s eligible to return.
That would be the middle of this season, once Pinto signs a contract. He is currently an unsigned restricted free agent and was the last player in that category without a deal, something this suspension begins to explain.
“Shane is a valued member of our hockey club; an engaging, intelligent young man who made poor decisions that have resulted in a suspension by the National Hockey League,” the Senators said in a statement. “We know he is remorseful for his mistakes. The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL’s rules on gambling. While saddened to learn of this issue, the entire organization remains committed to Shane and will work together to do what is necessary to help provide the support to allow him to address his issues and become a strong contributor to our community.”
Pinto is the latest professional athlete suspended since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for legalized sports wagering in 2018. At least 10 NFL players have recently been banned for gambling, most notably receiver Calvin Ridley missing the entire 2022 season for betting on games in the league. The NBA and Major League Baseball have not announced any recent gambling punishments, though the topic is a growing concern across college sports.
According to industry estimates, Americans have wagered over $220 billion on sports in the first five years since the Supreme Court decision.
The NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining agreement says that “gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” NHL teams can go as far as prohibiting employees from hockey operations to the business side from even joining fantasy leagues for money.
The Senators in 2021 became the first team to add a gambling-related entity as a helmet sponsor with Bet99. Their home helmets now bear the logo of Betway, an international gambling company.
Two years ago, the league investigated Evander Kane for gambling after his estranged wife claimed he bet on NHL games, including against his own team. Kane denied those allegations, and an investigation by NHL security and the firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler found no evidence Kane bet on or tried to throw any games.
Before Pinto, the last NHL players to be suspended for gambling were Billy Taylor, Don Gallinger and Babe Pratt back in the 1940s.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL
veryGood! (993)
Related
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- How did humans get to the brink of crashing climate? A long push for progress and energy to fuel it
- Plaquemine mayor breaks ribs, collarbone in 4-wheeler crash
- Why do they give? Donors speak about what moves them and how they plan end-of-year donations
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Man suspected of dismembering body in Florida dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound
- Michigan, Washington move up in top five of US LBM Coaches Poll, while Ohio State tumbles
- Kaley Cuoco Celebrates Baby Girl Matilda's First Thanksgiving
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Biden says 4-year-old Abigail Edan was released by Hamas. He hopes more U.S. hostages will be freed
Ranking
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- 3,000 ancient coins and gems unearthed at Italy's Pompeii of the north — with only 10% of the site searched so far
- A new Pentagon program aims to speed up decisions on what AI tech is trustworthy enough to deploy
- Man killed after shooting at police. A woman was heard screaming in Maryland home moments before
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- 2 teens shot, suspect arrested at downtown Cleveland plaza after annual tree-lighting ceremony
- Bryan Adams says Taylor Swift inspired him to rerecord: 'You realize you’re worth more'
- Pakistan’s army says it killed 8 militants during a raid along the border with Afghanistan
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
Mega Millions winning numbers for Black Friday drawing; Jackpot at $305 million
The Bachelor's Ben Flajnik Is Married
Baker Mayfield injury: Buccaneers QB exits matchup vs. Colts briefly with leg issue
McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
Taylor Swift's surprise songs in São Paulo. Which songs does she have left for Eras tour?
Four local employees of Germany’s main aid agency arrested in Afghanistan
From 'Butt Fumble' to 'Hell Mary,' Jets can't outrun own misery in another late-season collapse