Ottawa Senators' Shane Pinto Suspended 41 Games for Violating NHL Sports Betting Rules

Senators' Shane Pinto's 41-game suspension was the result of a negotiated settlement due to his connection with a third-party proxy bettor, an issue that was flagged by an NHL betting partner, marking the first gambling-related punishment in NHL history.

Shane Pinto, a player for the Ottawa Senators, has been suspended for 41 games due to violating NHL sports betting rules. He is the first player in modern NHL history to receive a gambling-related punishment.
Pinto's suspension was the result of a negotiated settlement and not a formal disciplinary proceeding. He chose not to have NHL commissioner Gary Bettman hear his case, which could have led to a more unpredictable and severe punishment.
Even though the suspension is one of the longest in the league's history, details of the case remain private due to a confidentiality clause in the settlement. The NHL has declared the case closed unless new information surfaces.
Pinto had connections with a third-party proxy bettor which is prohibited. Typically, NHL players can bet on games not involving the NHL, however their involvement with third-party proxy bettors is restricted.
The NHL has started to face the challenges of legalized online sports gambling. A suspension like Pinto's could potentially prompt the league and the NHL Players' Association to reassess or clarify their policies to protect athletes in the future.