Ottawa Senators restricted free agent center Shane Pinto will be suspended by the NHL for 41 games due to gambling violations, as first reported by Darren Dreger of The Sports Network (TSN).
Pinto, 22, scored 20 goals and totaled 35 points in his debut season last year.
Sources say Shane Pinto is being suspended. An NHL announcement explain why is expected soon.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 26, 2023
The NHL has not released a full statement as of yet, but Sportsnet.ca notes league sources said it was not for gambling on NHL games.
Pinto’s suspension marks the first time an NHL player has been suspended from the league for anything to do with sports betting.
In a memo sent in 2022, Commissioner Gary Bettman was given the ability to “discipline individuals determined to have engaged in improper gambling activities“ with a note that “the League will act swiftly and aggressively in penalizing any League or Club personnel determined to have engaged in acts in violation of the NHL Gambling Policy.”
Pinto is currently without a contract with the Senators and had not played any games yet this season.
Previous high-profile investigation 154p4s
While Pinto is the first NHL player to be suspended for gambling activity, it’s not the first time one has been investigated.
Evander Kane, currently of the Edmonton Oilers, was investigated after his ex-wife accused him of betting on NHL games — including games he played in as a member of the San Jose Sharks.
The six-week investigation yielded no evidence Kane bet on any games, let alone games he played in.
“The investigation included a detailed review of social media, public data, and court /filings from the bankruptcy proceeding initiated by Mr. Kane in January 2021 and his pending divorce proceeding; a review of sports betting data and analysis; and in person and virtual interviews of of the Sharks organization and others, including Mr. Kane,” read the investigation report, according to a press release from the NHL. “It should be noted that Ms. Kane refused to participate in the investigation.”
