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Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto has been suspended for 41 games by the NHL.
According to reports, Pinto becomes the first player to be suspended for violation of the league’s sports wagering rules since the U.S. Supreme Court’s legalization of sports betting in 2018.
While Pinto was suspended for sports gambling activities, it is not believed that he directly bet on NHL games.
“The National Hockey League announced today that it has suspended NHL Player Shane Pinto for 41 games for activities relating to sports wagering. The League’s investigation found no evidence that Pinto made any wagers on NHL games,” the league said in a statement. “The NHL considers this matter closed, absent the emergence of new information, and will have no further comment.”
The NHL is suspending Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto for 41 games for violating the league's sports wagering rules.
It marks the NHL's first gambling suspension since sports betting legalization in 2018. pic.twitter.com/kYnQrebhrS
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) October 26, 2023
So Pinto was suspended for sports gambling, but not there was no evidence that he bet on NHL games. It’s a bit puzzling, but the NHL is expected to release the full details of his suspension later on Thursday, according to ESPN.
In 2021, the Senators became the first NHL team to put a gambling advertisement on their helmets after securing a deal with Bet99.
Pinto was a first-round pick of the Senators in the 2019 NHL Draft. Last year, Pinto played in all 82 games and recorded 20 goals and 15 assists.
The 22-year-old is a restricted free agent and is currently without a contract.
