The NBA investigation found that Porter “[disclosed] confidential information to sports bettors, limit[ed] its own participation in one or more games for betting purposes, and [bet] on NBA games.
Porter revealed private details “about his own health” to a punter before the March 20 game, the league said in a statement. Following this revelation, another Porter associate bet $80,000 on Porter to “underperform in the March 20 game” with an online sports betting site in hopes of winning $1.1 million. of dollars.
Porter played just three minutes against the Kings before leaving sick, finishing with no points, two rebounds and no assists. In light of the “unusual betting activity,” the online sportsbook froze the bet and did not refund the winnings, the league said.
The NBA investigation also found that Porter placed “at least 13 bets” through an associate’s account during the 2023-24 season, which he spent with the Raptors and their G League affiliate. Porter bet $54,094 and won $21,965. Although he did not bet on any of the games he played in, the NBA said Porter placed three multi-game bets, including a Raptors game, in which Porter bet on the Raptors losing. Porter’s bets including the Raptors failed.
“There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our playing rules are punished with the most severe penalty,” said NBA Commissioner Adam. Silver said in a statement. “While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or anomalous activity, this issue also raises important questions about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and our players. By working closely with all relevant industry stakeholders, we will continue to work diligently to protect our league and our game.”
The National Basketball Players Association also released a statement Wednesday acknowledging Porter’s ban.
“Compliance with the league’s gambling policies is paramount to maintaining the integrity of our athletes and protecting the future of the sport,” the union said. “The NBPA will ensure that Jontay has access to the resources he needs during this time, in light of the NBA’s decision. All players, including Jontay, should be given proper due process and the opportunity to respond to any accusations made against them. The NBPA will continue to provide all players with training materials to ensure they understand how to properly navigate the complex sports betting landscape.
The Raptors, who finished the season outside the playoffs with a 25-57 record, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The NBA, which advocated for the expansion of legalized sports betting and established business partnerships with gambling companies during Silver’s tenure as commissioner, has avoided a major scandal since referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to federal charges after betting on games he officiated during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons.
League rules prohibit all employees, including players, coaches and referees, from playing in NBA games. Violators of the gaming policy are subject to fines, suspensions and contract termination. The NBA this month fined Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert $100,000 for suggesting the league’s referees were influenced by players.
Porter, a University of Missouri product, went undrafted in 2019, played in 11 games with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020-21 and spent several seasons in the G League before signing a two-way contact with the Raptors in December. He is the younger brother of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.
Prior to his ban, Porter was not under contract for next season.
The NBA’s investigation into Porter was made public the same day that Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani denied involvement in a gambling scandal involving Ippei Mizuhara, the baseball player’s former interpreter. Mizuhara allegedly lost millions betting with a bookmaker in California, where sports betting is illegal, and stole money from Ohtani to pay his debts.
