Just recently, the National Hockey League was shaken up by a gambling scandal. Ottawa Senators’ Shane Pinto has imposed a 41-game suspension for breaching the league’s gambling policy. It was revealed that the suspension went into power at the start of the NHL season and this was why the 22-year-old player remained unsigned.
Initially, the news was reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger and also backed by Pierre LeBrun, meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman also confirmed the news and said the suspension started with the new NHL season. Additionally, all negotiations to sign the player were stopped as the league recently conducted a hearing on the matter.
NHL Confirms the Suspension
The NHL itself also confirmed the player’s suspension as it posted an announcement for suspending Shane Pinto for 41 games for activities related to sports betting. The league shared that its investigation found no evidence that he wagered on NHL games, while also stating that it considers the matter closed, and had no further comment on the topic.
It should be noted that in March 2022, a month before the opening of Ontario’s online sports betting market, the NHL introduced a new gambling policy. A memo was sent to all league and club personnel, including players. It read that betting on any NHL game is prohibited would be considered “conduct that is dishonourable, prejudicial to, or against the welfare of the league.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has the authority to discipline individuals who have breached the league’s gambling policy. These penalties include expulsion or suspension for a definite or indefinite period of time, cancelling any contract that such player may have and or imposing a fine on a player in the league who has violated its gambling protocols.
Canadian Fans Grow Weary of Ads
The launch of Ontario’s iGaming sector for private operator has also had a major impact on the NHL broadcasts across Canada as they now feature tons of betting marketing. And this has led to fans speaking against such advertisements. Some people even said that those ads are forced on people every few minutes, while other worry about the potential impact on viewers.
However, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which oversees online gambling operations in the Heartland Province, has heard their concerns and took steps towards regulating it. A few weeks ago, the regulator banned the use of active or retired sports athletes from featuring in ads as a way of protecting children who idolize such individuals.
However, experts are also worried that the heavy sports betting marketing in Ontario could be the cause making people outside of the province resort to unregulated gaming websites. Michael Naraine, from the Department of Sport Management of the Brock University, said that a gambler from outside Ontario sees these kinds of sports betting ads, their only option would be to go for offshore gambling.
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