Jontay Porter receives lifetime ban from NBA for violating gambling rules

Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors has received a lifetime ban from the NBA for violating the league's gambling policy. The NBA issued a statement on Wednesday detailing its decision.

"The league's investigation revealed that Porter breached league regulations by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors, intentionally limiting his participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and placing bets on NBA games," the statement explained.

The investigation found that Porter deliberately restricted his involvement in the Raptors' March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings to influence the outcome of bets on his performance. During another game against the Nets, Porter claimed to feel unwell after playing only three minutes.

Prior to the game, Porter shared confidential health information with "an individual known to be an NBA bettor." Additionally, an associate of Porter placed bets on Porter's underperformance in the March 20 game as part of an $80,000 parlay with an online sportsbook.

Further findings revealed that from January to March 2024, while traveling with the Raptors and the Raptors' G League team, Porter made at least 13 bets on NBA games using someone else's betting account. These bets ranged from $15 to $22,000, totaling $54,094, with winnings of $21,965. None of these bets involved games in which Porter played, but he did bet on the Raptors to lose in three parlay bets, all of which lost.

Porter, 24, has not played since the NBA began investigating him for betting irregularities on March 25. He was removed from the lineup before the game against the Brooklyn Nets on that night and has not returned. Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., was in his first season with the Raptors, averaging 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 26 games.

Commissioner Adam Silver had indicated earlier that banning Porter was a possible action. "I have a wide range of disciplinary options," Silver stated, "but what he's accused of is a serious offense in the NBA. The most extreme option available to me is to ban him from the game."

This incident highlights the growing issue of professional athletes gambling on sports, with legal sports gambling expanding in the U.S. While incidents have led to suspensions in other leagues like the NFL, lifetime bans are rare. Porter now joins the likes of former MLB player Pete Rose, who was banned for gambling on his sport.