Dec 25, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of warm up basketball before the game between the Golden State Warriors against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Legalized sports betting is still a relatively new addition to American sports culture. As such athletes and regulators across leagues are still getting adjusted to the new rules and requirements to ensure that the integrity of sport is maintained.

However, in some instances, lines have been egregiously crossed. Such was the case with former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who was charged with colluding with bettors on his prop bets.

Now, more details have emerged, alleging that Porter would text bettors in the middle of games.

Fans reacted to the troubling messages on social media.

“and ppl were defending him when they first announced his lifetime ban, saying it was too harsh of a punishment while bro was dropping coms mid-game in the locker room while his brothers was out there playing,” one fan wrote on Twitter.

“I bet if he was texting FanDuel and DK representatives instead he wouldn’t be in any trouble at all,” one person added.

“But the NBA has not done anything against the Raptors despite thousands of rumours they hired Darko to tank the team so they could get a high pick in the next draft. That sure sounds like fixing games too,” another fan added.

“Nothing is stopping me from believing other players don’t do this. Maybe only smarter,” one fan added.

“It blows my mind that teams / players / leagues are allowed to have gambling deals Like I’m a big Bron fan, but the fact that he can have a betting partner & it’s okay is insane,” someone else added.

“That dude must’ve been in deep with the gamblers to risk his career and freedom to make them money,’ one person wrote.

Hopefully, the league will tighten up restrictions to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. At Next Impulse, Qwame covers sports with the same enthusiasm he brings to his recreational basketball and softball leagues.