NHL player suspended for Gambling
A first for the NHL
We recently reported about Italian soccer players gambling. This, however, is a first for the NHL.
An NHL player has been suspended for allegedly violating the league’s gambling policy for the first time in modern NHL history. The NHL has announced that Shane Pinto will be suspended for 41 games in the 2023-24 season due to violations of the league’s gambling rules. It is not clear how Pinto violated the gambling policy, which is more straightforward than in other sports. The NHL’s collective bargaining agreement states that “Gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” The league has said that Pinto was suspended for “activities relating to sports wagering.” There is no evidence that he bet on NHL games. The league was contacted by an online gambling company that detected unusual activity on Pinto’s account, according to multiple reports.
Ottawa Responds
From Ottawa:
“We were made aware of the National Hockey League investigation into this matter and additional information was made available to the club upon the completion of the league’s investigation yesterday.
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. 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.
When the time is right and with the league’s blessing, we will welcome him back to the organization and embrace him as one of our own.”
Commissioner Gary Bettman has the power to discipline individuals who engage in improper gambling activities. This is according to a memo from March 2022. The memo stated that Bettman can impose fines, cancel contracts, or expel or suspend individuals. Shane Pinto is suspended for 41 games, which is half of the NHL’s 82-game season. The suspension began with the Senators’ first game of the season. It is not contingent on him signing a contract. In recent years, NFL players have been in the spotlight for gambling violations. Calvin Ridley was suspended for a year for betting on NFL games, while Jameson Williams was suspended for six games for betting on college football games while inside the Lions’ practice facility.
Bruce Garrioch on Twitter: “League sources say Pinto’s online gambling account in the United States was flagged by a company that is a partner of the league because of unusual activity and it contacted the NHL’s head office recently. #Sens More here https://t.co/jRFuKA2drI / Twitter”
League sources say Pinto’s online gambling account in the United States was flagged by a company that is a partner of the league because of unusual activity and it contacted the NHL’s head office recently. #Sens More here https://t.co/jRFuKA2drI
Straightforward Policy
The NHL’s gambling policy is relatively simple, “Gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” There is no further mention of it in the collective bargaining agreement. Since Pinto is not believed to have bet on NHL games, it is unclear what he did to merit a suspension for half the season.
Shane Pinto is currently a restricted free agent with the Senators. That means that any team can offer him a contract. However, Ottawa can match any offer to keep him from leaving the organization. If he is unsigned by Dec. 1, he will become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team. There is speculation that the investigation and Ottawa’s secrecy regarding the investigation have kept Pinto from requesting a trade from the organization.
From Pinto:
“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. I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”