The NBA has announced the expulsion of Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter from the league following an inquiry that concluded the 24-year-old breached betting regulations, as stated by the league.
In March, the league disclosed the commencement of an investigation into irregularities surrounding bets linked to Porter, prompted by peculiar betting trends concerning the player.
The NBA said its investigation found that Porter had-
“Violated league rules by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, limiting his own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and betting on NBA games.”
“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our gaming rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players,” added Silver.
“Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game.”
According to a press release by the NBA, the league has been collaborating with federal prosecutors, sharing information and indicating its commitment to ongoing cooperation.
The league affirmed that its investigation is ongoing and could yield additional discoveries.
The Raptors expressed full support for the league’s ruling, emphasizing their continued cooperation with ongoing investigations, as stated in a team release.
