NHL Imposes 41-Game Ban on Shane Pinto for Breaking Betting Policy
The National Hockey League (NHL) dished out a 41-game punishment to Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto this Thursday for violating their sports betting regulations.
This suspension is the second significant blow to professional sports players in a day. Earlier in the day, the Italian Football Federation imposed a ban on Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali for wagering on soccer.
But details about Pinto's infractions are murky, as the NHL stays tight-lipped over what exactly the 22-year-old did to earn the suspension.
The NHL issued a brief statement about Pinto's suspension, stating, "The National Hockey League has suspended NHL Player Shane Pinto for 41 games for activities relating to sports wagering. The League's investigation found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games."
The statement continued, "The NHL considers this matter closed, absent the emergence of new information, and will have no further comment."
Pinto is the first NHL player to face such a penalty since 2018, when the US Supreme Court ruled that a federal law limiting sports betting to Nevada was unconstitutional. With the federal limits lifted, Pinto becomes the first NHL player to be suspended for gambling issues since that ruling.
Senators Mutes on Betting Allegations
Besides the NHL, the Ottawa Senators franchise is staying quiet about Pinto's sports betting issues. The team merely acknowledges him as "a valued member of our hockey club" and admits that he's "remorseful for his mistakes."
Reports surfaced that Pinto operated an online sportsbook account with a legal, regulated operator in the US.
NHL players and staff are strictly forbidden from betting on NHL games. The league's policy declares that they'll discipline individuals found engaged in improper gambling activities.
The refusal to provide details about Pinto's infractions aligns with the NHL Gambling Policy's warning about conduct "that is dishonorable, prejudicial to, or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey."
Pinto's Contract
With the Senators' regular season well underway, Pinto, who remains an unrestricted free agent, hasn't played. The team has postponed any contract talks following the betting investigation.
Pinto's suspension is retroactive to October 11, when the Senators started their regular season. Once the review is complete, his agent can begin negotiating a new contract.
The Senators seem determined to retain the young rising star, who scored 35 points with 20 goals and 15 assists as a full-time starter last season.
The team's final comment confirmed, "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."
Pinto also issued a public apology, "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."
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Source: www.casino.org
