Former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter, 24, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a gambling scandal.
According to Kyle Schnitzer of New York Post, Porter admitted to placing bets and collaborating with others to settle gambling debts, facing fines and restitution totaling approximately $456,000.
Porter expressed remorse before Brooklyn federal Judge James R. Cho, acknowledging the unlawfulness of his actions.
The prosecution has recommended a prison sentence ranging from 41 to 51 months, with his sentencing scheduled for December 18.
Released on a $250,000 bond secured by family members, Porter is required to continue receiving gambling counseling.
The NBA initiated an investigation into Porter’s activities on March 25, 2024, citing multiple instances of irregular betting behavior.
Concerns arose regarding proposition bets involving Porter’s personal statistics during NBA games.
On April 11, the Colorado Division of Gaming instructed sportsbook operators to report any wagering linked to Porter on NBA-affiliated games.
An incident during a game against the Sacramento Kings drew further scrutiny, where Porter disclosed sensitive health information to a known sports bettor.
Subsequently, an $80,000 bet was placed on a parlay that Porter would underperform, raising suspicions due to the size and irregularity of the wager.
The NBA’s investigation revealed Porter’s use of another person’s account to place 13 bets on NBA games from January to March 2024, totaling $54,000 in wagers and over $22,000 in winnings.
Accusations included divulging confidential information and manipulating his game participation for betting purposes.
As a result of these findings, Porter has been banned for life from the NBA and its affiliated leagues, effective April 17, 2024.
This marks Porter as the first active player banned from the NBA for gambling since Jack Molinas in 1954.
Additionally, he becomes the first player banned without any possibility of reinstatement since Richard Dumas in 1996.
Further complicating matters, Porter faces federal felony charges in the United States and is under investigation in Canada regarding the gambling scandal.
The case has also led to the arrest of multiple co-conspirators, highlighting the breadth of the investigation.
As legal proceedings unfold, Porter’s future both in and out of professional basketball remains uncertain.
