The recent lifetime bans handed to San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano and Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter have once again brought the issue of sports and gambling to the forefront. Marcano was banned by MLB after placing 387 baseball bets totaling over $150,000 with a legal sportsbook, becoming the first active player in a century to receive a lifetime ban for gambling. Other players, including Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor leaguers, were also suspended for betting on baseball.
The history of sports betting scandals dates back to the infamous 1920 Chicago White Sox scandal, known as the “Black Sox Scandal.” Other notable incidents include the 1989 ban of Pete Rose for betting on Cincinnati Reds games, the 2007 conviction of NHL coach Rick Tocchet for promoting gambling, and the 2019 suspension of former Wales men’s rugby team captain Rob Howley for betting on games.
In more recent cases, England defender Kieran Trippier was banned for providing insider information for gambling, while NFL players like Calvin Ridley have faced suspensions for betting on games. Soccer players like Ivan Toney, Sandro Tonali, and Nicolò Fagioli have also served gambling bans. The NHL issued a 41-game suspension to Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for sports gambling, and the Los Angeles Dodgers fired their interpreter for financial fraud related to gambling.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges that sports leagues face in regulating gambling and maintaining the integrity of their competitions. As cases continue to arise across various sports, authorities and organizations are under pressure to address the issue and enforce strict penalties to deter future misconduct.
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