New York man sentenced to two years in prison for insider betting on NBA

Timothy McCormack, who lives in New York, became the first person to be convicted in the NBA’s high-profile insider betting case. He was sentenced to two years in prison in Brooklyn federal court for using inside information to place bets on league players.

Prosecutors had sought a four-year prison sentence, calling McCormack’s actions intentional fraud. The defense, on the contrary, talked about his long-term gambling addiction. The court also banned McCormack from gambling for a year after his release. He must report to prison by April 20.

McCormack is betting on games involving former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, who is banned from basketball for life, as well as games involving Miami Heat’s Terry Rozier.

The investigation began after the betting companies reported suspicious activity to the International Betting Integrity Association and then to the FBI.

McCormack’s conviction was the first real sentence in a case that has increased scrutiny on betting integrity and highlighted the risks of insider trading in professional sports.

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