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In a shocking announcement, the NBA has banned Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter from the league due to multiple violations of its gambling rules. An internal investigation revealed that Porter had placed bets on NBA games, shared confidential information with other gamblers, and modified his participation in certain games to influence specific bets.
The league began looking into Porter after a game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20th, during which he only played for three minutes before leaving the game due to feeling ill. Prior to the game, Porter had disclosed his health status to someone known to place NBA bets, resulting in an $80,000 wager that he would underperform. This unusual betting activity was brought to the NBA’s attention by sports betting operators and a gambling monitoring organization.
Further investigation uncovered that Porter had placed bets on at least 13 NBA games using another person’s account after joining the Raptors. While none of these bets were on games he played in, three of them involved single Raptors games, resulting in a significant payout for Porter. Before signing with the Raptors, Porter reportedly had an active VIP FanDuel account where he placed millions of dollars in bets unrelated to NBA or college basketball games while playing for various G League teams.
Additionally, beginning in September 2020, Porter began discussing gambling, stock trading, and cryptocurrency on social media under the account @TayTrades11. However, the account has remained relatively inactive since 2023. The NBA has taken swift action to address Porter’s rule violations and ensure the integrity of the league’s games remains intact.
The ban comes as a result of multiple violations by Porter under gambling rules set by the league. The NBA is committed to upholding its rules and ensuring that players are held accountable for their actions both on and off the court.
The decision marks a significant blow for Toronto Raptors fans who were excited about having one of their star players back on the team this season.
In conclusion, Jontay Porter’s actions have consequences beyond just losing his job with Toronto Raptors; it undermines public trust in sportsmanship and integrity within professional athletics.