The announcement Thursday of Senators forward Shane Pinto’s 41-game suspension for betting on sports other than hockey caused confusion among fans and other observers.
This incomprehensibility arises from the fact that NHL players have the right to bet on other sports. So why did Pinto receive such a harsh punishment? The problem lies in players’ sports betting habits.
Recently our colleague Renaud Lavoie was in the news and the young Senators player, who was apparently set to sign a two-season contract that would earn him around $5 million three weeks ago, was found guilty of using a “bookmaker.” that is, a third party betting on sports in the United States while the third party is in Canada.
A few weeks ago, an investigation was launched after Pinto, who did not play while waiting for his new contract to be signed, left Ottawa to return to the USA.
“This is where an investigation is opened,” Renaud told “JiC”. There is a “gambling” company in the United States that does business with the NHL, owns Pinto’s account, and finds it impossible for Pinto to be the one betting on it. An American site in Canada. You can not do this. “So we raised our hands and said there was something going on with Shane Pinto’s account.”
“The investigation is ongoing,” he added. It’s not fun to have someone else take bets on his behalf, but when you see no one taking bets in the NHL it’s actually not a problem. But there is a third part. In the language we call this “the bettor”.”
In short, the NHL wanted to take Pinto as an example above all else. Because having a “bookie” is illegal and potentially a source of trouble.
“The NHL worked with the Players Association to suspend him,” our colleague explained. I worked with Shane Pinto and wanted to send a message to everyone. “Be careful what you do, we give you the right to bet on all sports except hockey, but your bookmaker…”
The use of such intermediaries will be a serious problem in American universities, and not all of their activities are always known.
A “punter”, according to Renaud, is “someone who does not need to be around all the time”.
As a result, Pinto will lose approximately $1 million in salary, and the Association, which participated in the preparation of the restraining order, will certainly not object to this.
See all of Renaud Lavoie’s remarks in the main video.
