NHL suspends player following sports betting investigation
Ottawa Senators player Shane Pinto suspended for 41 games for “activities related to sports wagering”
The National Hockey League (NHL) has suspended an active player for the first time in almost 80 years for breaching the league’s rules on players placing bets on sporting events.
Ottawa Senators player Shane Pinto has been suspended for a total of 41 league games after the NHL found he had engaged in “activities related to sports wagering” but did not release any further details on the scope of the investigation or the bets placed.
NHL officials confirmed, however, that Pinto did not place any bets on NHL games. The ban means he will be effectively out for half the regular NHL season.
“The NHL considers this matter closed, absent the emergence of new information, and will have no further comment,” a NHL press release stated.
In a separate statement issued by the NHL confirming the Ottawa Senators player’s suspension, Pinto expressed remorse for his actions.
“I want to apologize to the National Hockey League, the Ottawa Senators, my teammates, the fans, the 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,” Pinto’s statement read.
The Ottawa Senators also issued a statement once details of the suspension were confirmed by the NHL.
“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,” the club’s statement said.
“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.”
It continued: “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,” the Ottawa Senators concluded.
In 2021, the NHL investigated San Jose Sharks player Evander Kane over allegations he’d placed bets on NHL games following accusations by his now ex-wife, with sports data firm Sportradar playing an important role in the case through its monitoring of NHL games.
Ultimately the investigation of Kane found no evidence of gambling on league games, with the NHL concluding its investigation into the player in September 2021.
The suspension of Pinto for gambling-related offences is the league’s first suspension since the 1940s, when players Billy Taylor, Don Gallinger, and Babe Pratt were suspended for similar offences.
Under the current collective bargaining agreements signed between the NHL and the National Hockey League’s Players’ Association (NHLPA), gambling on any NHL game is strictly prohibited.
The agreement gives teams powers to prohibit players and playing staff from even taking part in DFS contests relating to the league.
Players are however, not barred from engaging in partnerships with sports betting firms, with Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid serving as a brand ambassador for BetMGM, along with retired NHL legend Wayne Gretzky.