Former NBA Player Jontay Porter to Be Sentenced in Sports Betting Scandal

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.

“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:

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:

As part of his plea agreement, he waived the right to appeal any sentence under 57 months.

NBA’s Response and Fallout

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.

Jenny Tang

An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.