NHL suspended Shane Pinto for Involving in Sports Betting
Date : 27th October, 2023
THE SOIL – The NHL suspended American forward Shane Pinto, 22, who plays forward for the Ottawa Senators, for 41 games on Thursday. This is the first time in the history of contemporary hockey that a player has been banned for engaging in sports betting.
The league suspended Pinto for half a season for “involvement in sports betting activities,” although there was no evidence found during the investigation to support Pinto’s claims of having wagered on NHL games. The league withheld information on Pinto’s behaviour and how he was discovered.
“I offer my heartfelt apologies to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the passionate supporters, the amazing city of Ottawa, and above all, my family,” the organisation said in a statement. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”
Shane Pinto Opted To Not Challenge The Ban
In accordance with an agreement reached by the league, the player, and the NHL Players’ Association to resolve the matter, Pinto has opted not to challenge the ban. The league has stated that, barring any new information in this case, it considers the subject resolved.
Coach D.J. Smith told the media after the morning skate in New York that Pinto has the full support of the Senators and they look forward to having him back when he’s eligible.
Shane Pinto to be Most Recent Athlete to be Suspended After US Supreme Court Legalised Sports Betting in 2018
This ban clarifies the issue once Pinto signs a contract at the halfway point of this season. As of right now, he is an unsigned restricted free agent and the only player in this category without an agreement.
Pinto is the most recent professional athlete to be suspended after the US Supreme Court legalised sports betting in 2018. About ten NFL players have been suspended for their involvement in gambling. One well-known example is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who missed the whole 2022 season because of bets he placed on league games. However, despite the fact that college sports are starting to worry about this issue, neither the NBA nor Major League Baseball have recently announced any gambling-related punishments.