The NBA has imposed a lifetime ban on Jontay Porter, formerly a player with the Toronto Raptors, after concluding an investigation into gambling-related allegations. The league’s inquiry revealed multiple infractions, including disclosing confidential information to bettors, manipulating his own game participation for betting purposes, and placing wagers on NBA games, all of which contravene the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement.
Porter, who had been a two-way player for the Raptors, averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 13.8 minutes across 26 games this season. The investigation uncovered instances where Porter divulged confidential health information to individuals known to be bettors, subsequently leading to substantial bets being placed on his performance.
Moreover, the probe found evidence of Porter deliberately limiting his own game time to affect the outcome of bets placed on his performance. This included a notable incident during the Raptors’ game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20, where Porter played only three minutes, citing illness. As a result of his actions, an $80,000 proposition bet tied to his underperformance was frozen by the betting platform.
Additionally, Porter was found to have placed numerous bets on NBA games, totaling over $54,000, using an associate’s online betting account between January and March 2024. Although none of these bets involved games in which Porter played, the suspicious betting activity was flagged by licensed operators and monitoring organizations.
The NBA’s decision to ban Porter for life underscores the seriousness with which the league addresses violations related to gambling and integrity. This development comes amidst heightened scrutiny over sports betting integrity, with similar scandals emerging across various professional sports leagues.