When Ottawa Senators free agent center Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games by the NHL for activities relating to sports wagering, players across the league started to look into their own gambling tendencies as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman that many got in touch with their representative to see what had come out of the Pinto’s investigation.
According to the insider, many questions were asked and many more advice were given to make sure no one gets in trouble. This is what Friedman had to say in his written 32 Thoughts on Sportsnet:
“Not surprisingly, players reached out to their agents, their teams and the NHLPA to make sure they were in no danger of committing the same offences. This should not be interpreted as Pinto’s violations, but a general idea of what everyone was warned about. Don’t share legal betting accounts with anyone. (It is suspected that Pinto’s friends used his account to place bets on hockey, although it is not proven.) Don’t place bets with third parties. Prop bets will be treated as betting on NHL games. (There was no previous wording banning prop bets, just NHL games.) Don’t joke about odds with friends. If they send you a text joking, “You’re plus-300 to score tonight,” don’t joke back. Tell them to pound sand and never do that again. Don’t share inside or injury information and don’t bet illegally.
"Players were also warned that, in any gambling investigation, they would be expected to hand over their phones — or at least provide access to them.”
Players have been warned. Before Pinto, only one other player was investigated for gambling and it was Evander Kane prior to him signing with the Edmonton Oilers. Kane once claimed to have placed as many as 50 bets per day with illegal bookmakers when he was in the grip of his gambling addiction, but has since spoke about getting help.
You may recall how the winger filed for bankruptcy in January 2021, claiming a total of $26.8 million in debt. That’s despite having signed a $49 million deal with the San Jose Sharks just three years earlier. His contract was later terminated, and he finally ended up with the Oilers. Upon Pinto's suspension, fans were somewhat stunned that Pinto landed a 41-game ban, despite never betting on NHL games, while Kane was never banned though his estranged wife had accused him of betting on hockey and compromised games for gambling purposes.
But the NHL is clearly set on investigating these situations, should it repeat itself in the future, and players have been warned.
Recommended articles:
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