India and Staiano were both found to have placed bets on PGA Tour tournaments. The PGA Tour Integrity Programme states players cannot wager on any professional golf competition or event.
The PGA Tour confirmed neither player bet on competitions in which they were competing. It is not clear what events they bet on, nor the type of wagers that were placed.
India will now serve a six-month suspension from PGA Tour-sanctioned events. This is being backdated to 18 September and will run through to 17 March next year.
Staiano’s three-month suspension from PGA Tour-sanctioned competitions runs from 11 September until 10 December.
The PGA Tour says it has no further comment on the suspensions at this time.
India is a 34-year-old player from the US who turned professional back in 2011. His current Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) is 936.
Staiano, also of the US, is aged 26 and turned professional in 2019. He does not currently have an OWGR placement.
NHL issues first betting suspension
Confirmation of the suspensions mark the latest betting-related bans in US sport. Last week, the National Hockey League (NHL) issued a 41-match ban to Shane Pinto for violating rules on sports betting.
Pinto, who has played for the Ottawa Senators since 2021, is the first NHL player to be banned for betting on sports since the repeal of PASPA in mid-2018.
NHL policy states players are not allowed to wager on NHL games but can bet on activities outside the league. However, the NHL said there is no evidence Pinto bet on an NHL game.
Pinto released a statement on the matter, issuing an apology for his actions.
NFL players also face bans over betting
Earlier this year, the National Football League also announced further sanctions for players due to betting rule breaches.
Denver Broncos player Eyioma Uwazurike was suspended indefinitely in July. The NFL said he had been betting on NFL games during the 2022 season.
In June, four other players were suspended for betting breaches. Isaiah Rodgers and Rashod Berry, both of the Indianapolis Colts, were suspended until the end of the 2023 season. Demetrius Taylor, a free agent, was banned for 2023 and Nicholas Petit-Frere was handed a six-game suspension.
In April, five other players were suspended for breaching betting policy. Detroit Lions receivers Jameson Williams, Quintez Cephus, Stanley Berryhill and CJ Moore were suspended, as was Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/social-responsibility/sports-integrity/pga-tour-suspends-us-golfers-betting-breaches/
