Ottawa Senators ahead Shane Pinto has been suspended 41 video games for violating the NHL’s gambling coverage
BySTEPHEN WHYNO AP hockey creator
October 26, 2023, 12:19 PM
The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators ahead Shane Pinto for 41 video games on Thursday, making the 22-year-old American the first modern-day player banned for sports activities gambling.
The league stated the half-season ban was once for “activities relating to sports wagering” and that its investigation discovered no proof Pinto wager on NHL video games.
“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,” Pinto said in a statement released by the team. “I take full responsibility for my actions and look forward to getting back on the ice with my team.”
The NHL Players’ Association didn’t right away reply to a message asking if the union would attraction the suspension.
The league stated it considers the topic closed and would haven’t any additional remark. Coach D.J. Smith advised journalists at the group’s morning skate in New York that the Senators would assist Pinto and welcome him again with open hands when he is eligible to go back.
That could be the center of this season, as soon as Pinto indicators a freelance. He is recently an unsigned limited loose agent.
“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,” the Senators stated in a remark. “We know he is remorseful for his mistakes. The Ottawa Senators fully support the NHL’s rules on gambling.”
Pinto is the newest skilled athlete suspended since the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the manner for legalized sports activities wagering in 2018. Ten NFL avid gamers had been banned for gambling, maximum particularly receiver Calvin Ridley lacking the whole 2022 season for making a bet on video games in the league. The NBA and Major League Baseball have now not introduced any fresh gambling punishments, even though the matter is a rising fear throughout faculty sports activities.
According to trade estimates, Americans have wagered over $220 billion on sports activities in the first 5 years since the Supreme Court determination.
The NHL/NHLPA collective bargaining settlement says that “gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” NHL groups can move so far as prohibiting workers from hockey operations to the industry facet from even becoming a member of myth leagues for cash.
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