In the wake of Shane Pinto‘s 41-game suspension for a violation of the NHL’s gambling policy, players are being reminded of the restrictions by the league.
“There are a lot of players who wager legally and they were wondering, calling around and saying, ‘What exactly has happened here?'” Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Saturday night on Hockey Night in Canada‘s headlines segment. “‘What do I have to know?’ The players know they can’t wager on NHL games, and I want to make one thing very clear: I’m not saying that Shane Pinto is guilty of any of this stuff. We’re still determining that.”
Friedman said players are being warned about the following when it comes to gambling:
• Don’t share your account.
• Don’t place bets with third parties.
• If you do a prop, it’ll be treated the same as betting on a hockey game.
• Don’t joke about odds with friends. “If you have a friend text you and says, ‘You’re plus-300 to score tonight.’ Tell him not to do stuff like that,” Friedman said.
• Don’t share insight on injury information.
• Don’t bet illegally, like with a bookmaker.
Friedman added that there will be Zoom calls between the players and the NHLPA this week to discuss the topic further.
A memo sent in March 2022 reminded all league and club personnel — including players — that wagering on any NHL game, even where legal, is “absolutely prohibited,” and will “constitute conduct that is dishonourable, prejudicial to, or against the welfare of the League or the game of hockey” under the NHL’s constitution.
Pinto, who is an unsigned restricted free agent, met with select Senators players after the suspension was announced on Thursday.
Pinto’s suspension began with Ottawa’s first game of the season, so it doesn’t matter when Pinto agrees to a new contract. He is also able to sign after Dec. 1 and play this season, because he is not eligible for an offer sheet. It is expected he will re-sign with the Senators.
–with files from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman