According to several media sites, an investigation into Jontay Porter’s sports betting records reveals the NBA forward did not bet on NBA games in Colorado.
Jontay Porter signed a two-way contract with the NBA Toronto Raptors in December 2023. In March, the NBA started looking into Porter due to unusual betting activity on prop bets involving the reserve forward.
On Jan. 26 and March 20, DraftKings and at least one other sportsbook reported unusual betting activity on the under for Porter. In both instances, Porter left the games after only playing only minutes, due to injury and illness. Porter has not played since March 22.
On April 10, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league was looking at any connection between Jontay Porter and the prop betting markets, saying the Toronto Raptor is accused of a “cardinal sin.” Silver also made a case for federal oversight of sports betting, rather than the piecemeal state-by-state regulatory framework.
Although Silver might have less to worry about this week, according to recent revelations. While betting on the NBA does violate NBA rules, betting on other, unrelated, sports does not. And it appears that Porter did not bet on basketball – at least in the state of Colorado.
According to ESPN, the Colorado Division of Gaming and Sports Betting solicited sportsbooks in the state, asking them to “review all patron accounts thoroughly to identify if Jontay Porter has ever had an account with your sportsbook. If so, please review Mr. Porter’s account for wagering activities on NBA-affiliated games.” The Colorado regulator requested the sportsbooks to report all findings by Monday, April 15.
Porter played for the Denver Nuggets in the 2022 NBA Summer League. Porter’s brother Michael plays for the Denver Nuggets.
On Tuesday, sources reported Porter held a FanDuel VIP account in Colorado. Although the account wagered “millions” on sports from 2021 through 2023, there were no instances where the account placed bets on the NBA or college basketball.
When asked for comment, Daniel Carr Communications Director for Colorado’s Department of Revenue replied, “While we can not comment on our communications with Colorado Sports Books related to potential investigations pursuant to CRS 44-30-1507. The Division of Gaming stands by the statement we released yesterday, which stated there is no active investigation at this time.”
