NBA player Jontay Porter under investigation in Canada for alleged betting scandal
Authorities in Canada have initiated a criminal probe involving ex-Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who is suspected of tampering with NBA games.
The American basketball player was given a lifetime ban by the league in April due to "spot fixing" and the dissemination of confidential information to a New York-based gambling ring.
According to U.S. judicial authorities, this gang placed wagers on Porter to underperform in two games - on January 26 against the Los Angeles Clippers and on March 20 against the Sacramento Kings. Both contests ended in losses for the Raptors.
It is alleged that Porter intentionally left these games early, feigning injury under the syndicate's knowledge.
What is Spot Fixing?
Spot fixing pertains to the manipulation of a specific event within a game, rather than the overall game outcome. This usually entails the participation of a single player.
For example, it could involve the number of fouls committed in a soccer match or the number of throw-ins in a basketball game. In Porter's case, it concerned his performance in two basketball games.
The gang stood to gain roughly $1,272,875 by betting against Porter on DraftKings and FanDuel. However, the operating companies detected suspicious betting patterns and froze the vast majority of these winnings.
Four individuals linked to the New York betting ring have been detained by federal authorities, one of whom was caught attempting to escape the U.S. They are facing charges of wire fraud, with each conviction carrying a potential 20-year sentence.
It remains unclear whether Porter will also face charges. On Tuesday, an OPP spokesperson informed ESPN that a criminal investigation has been deemed necessary.
U.S. Federal prosecutors suspect Porter collaborated with the scheme as he had accrued substantial gambling debts to this group, and this was his means of repayment.
Court records indicate that Porter communicated with co-conspirators through a Telegram messaging group where details of the scam were discussed.
On April 4, the day Porter was given the NBA ban, he informed the group that they "might just get hit w a rico" - a reference to federal anti-racketeering charges. He also instructed them to purge their mobile phone records.
Porter's lawyer, Jeff Jensen, portrays his client as a decent kid who became ensnared due to gambling addiction issues.
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