The PGA Tour became the latest organization to reveal that athletes were making prohibited bets when it announced suspension Friday of two Korn Ferry Tour players for wagering on PGA events.
Neither player bet on events they in which they participated, the Tour said in a statement. While it only publicly shared the information Friday, players Vince India and Jake Staiano were suspended in September. India was suspended for six months beginning Sept. 18 and Staiano was suspended for three months beginning Sept. 11.
The punishments were announced one day after the NHL suspended Ottawa’s Shane Pinto for 41 games for violating the league’s gambling policy, although he was not accused of betting on NHL games.
The PGA Tour did not disclose specific details of the sports betting by India and Staiano or how they were caught. Their suspensions are the first that the Tour has announced since gradual legalization of sports began state by state in 2018.
PGA TOUR statement regarding Korn Ferry Tour Vince India and Jake Staiano pic.twitter.com/bK5zVfaeg0
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) October 27, 2023
The NFL has betting scandal has involved the University of Alabama baseball program.
In Iowa, numerous athletes from Iowa and Iowa State were investigated for wagering, including Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers, who took a plea bargain and likely has permanently lost his eligibility. Many of the Iowa and Iowa State players not only violated NCAA rules on gambling but also broke state law by betting when under 21.
According to the Sept. 10 Korn Ferry Tour money list, India earned $60,922 this season and is ranked No. 126 while Staiano does not appear on the list. India has been playing on the Korn Ferry Tour since 2011, and Staiano ed two years ago. If either player chooses to re the tour after serving their suspensions, he would have to earn a spot via Q-school.
