2. Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter has admitted his role in a gambling scheme that resulted in his lifetime NBA ban. Porter faces over four years behind bars for his involvement in the fraudulent activity.
NBA player Jontay Porter has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, acknowledging his involvement in a gambling scheme that led to his lifetime ban from the league. In court on Wednesday, Porter admitted to withdrawing early from games to spare himself from substantial gambling debts and enable him and his co-conspirators to profit from bets placed on his performance.
"I understand that what I did was wrong and against the law, and I am truly sorry," Porter stated during the hearing.
1. NBA Player Jontay Porter Pleads Guilty in Gambling Scheme, Faces Years in Prison
Court documents indicate that Porter's case is part of an ongoing prosecution involving four additional individuals. The four have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud but have yet to enter pleas.
Porter received his lifetime ban on April 17 after an NBA investigation determined that he had disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and wagered on games, violating league regulations. The NBA prohibits players from betting on any aspect of the league or its associated entities.
1. NBA Player Jontay Porter Pleads Guilty in Gambling Scheme, Faces Years in Prison
The league's investigation revealed that prior to the Toronto Raptors' March 20 game against the Orlando Magic, Porter divulged sensitive information about his health status to a known NBA bettor. Subsequently, an individual associated with Porter, also an NBA bettor, placed an $80,000 parlay bet on an online sportsbook, predicting that Porter would underperform in the game and potentially win $1.1 million.
Porter played only three minutes in the March 20 game, citing illness. The $80,000 prop bet was ultimately frozen and not paid out.
1. NBA Player Jontay Porter Pleads Guilty in Gambling Scheme, Faces Years in Prison
The NBA's investigation further uncovered that from January to March of this year, Porter, while a member of the Raptors or their G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, placed at least 13 bets on NBA games using an associate's betting account.
Porter's attorney, Jeff Jensen, previously stated that his client had been "in over his head due to a gambling addiction." Jensen added that Porter is receiving treatment and cooperating fully with law enforcement.
According to the complaint, one of the four men pressured Porter to repay gambling debts by intentionally withdrawing from games, allowing bets on his underperformance to be successful.
In the wake of this scandal, the NBA has reportedly held meetings to discuss measures to prevent similar incidents, including eliminating "under" proposition bets from sportsbooks.
Porter's sentencing is scheduled for December 18. In addition to potential prison time, he is also likely to face hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution and fines.
Porter's brothers, Coban and Michael, have also been involved in legal issues. Coban began serving a six-year sentence in April for a fatal DUI crash, while Michael is a key player for the Denver Nuggets.
