Jontay Porter, the former Toronto Raptors forward, is set to be sentenced today in Brooklyn federal court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The case centers on a sports betting scandal where Porter deliberately underperformed in games to assist bettors. This led to his lifetime ban from the NBA in April 2024. He now faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 41 to 51 months.
Porter’s Betting Breaches
Porter’s troubles began in early 2024 when an NBA investigation revealed he had placed 13 bets on NBA games between January and March of that year. Among those, he made wagers against his own team, raising immediate red flags. The NBA’s findings also showed that Porter intentionally left two games early—on January 26th and March 20th—citing false injuries or illnesses. This was done to facilitate the success of his co-conspirators’ bets.
According to court filings, Porter’s actions were driven by mounting gambling debts. He joined a group of conspirators who collectively profited over $1 million from rigged bets.
“Porter’s withdrawal from these games was not due to legitimate injuries but a calculated move to manipulate game outcomes.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Robbins stated:
“Mr. Porter violated the fundamental trust placed in athletes, sabotaging games for personal financial gain.”
He added:
“This case underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of athletic competitions.”
Porter admitted to his wrongdoing in a July 2024 court appearance, saying:
“I take full responsibility for my actions and deeply regret the harm I caused to the game I love.”
As part of his plea agreement, he waived the right to appeal any sentence under 57 months.
NBA’s Response and Fallout
In April 2024, the NBA imposed a lifetime ban on Porter, making him the first player banned since 1954. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement at the time:
“We hold our players to the highest ethical standards. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game.”
The scandal extends beyond Porter, as four other individuals were charged with conspiracy to defraud a sports betting company. One of the conspirators, Mahmud Mollah, pleaded guilty in October 2024 and is awaiting sentencing in May 2025.
Porter, who was released on a $250,000 bond and has since sought gambling counseling, now serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of gambling within professional sports.
Porter’s sentencing is expected to set a precedent for how the legal system addresses similar violations in the future.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City – Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.
