After allegations emerged on social media that Evander Kane had allegedly bet on his games and had thrown hockey games, the NHL said it will launch an investigation. The professional hockey player with the San Jose Sharks rejected all such claims, saying that they are false and he never bet on NHL games.
Pro Hockey Player Accused by His Wife for Betting on NHL Games
The NHL has announced that it will launch a full investigation over claims that San Jose Sharks player Evander Kane bet on NHL games. The accusations came from Kane’s wife, Anna. Over few posts on social media, she claimed that Evander is a “compulsive gambling addict.”
“How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he’s obviously throwing games to win money,”
reads a social media post from Anna Kane
Furthermore, Anna alleged that the hockey player is “obviously throwing games with bookies to win money.” Additionally, referring to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman she asked how the League can allow a player to “gamble on his own games.“
“We intend to conduct a full investigation and will have no further comment at this time,”
reads a statement by the NHL
The NHL did not wait to respond and posted a statement on Sunday, acknowledging that there are social media allegations against Evander Kane for betting on NHL games. The league said that it takes such allegations very seriously, as safeguarding the integrity of the game is paramount for the NHL. Thus, the league said that it intends to launch a full investigation and abstained from commenting on the topic any further.
Kane Rejects the Accusations
In a statement, Kane addressed the accusations, saying that they are completely false. He stressed that he has never gambled or bet on hockey or any Sharks game and that he has “thrown a hockey game.” The hockey player stated that last year, he had the best season of his career, showing significant consistency and that he is proud of that. Kane added that he loves hockey and once again rejected the allegations. In conclusion, he vowed to collaborate with the NHL’s investigation to clear his name.
“I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on a Sharks game, NEVER GAMBLED/BET on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,”
reads a statement by Evander Kane
The Sharks also released a statement on the topic. The team said that they have been contacted by the NHL regarding the serious allegations made against their player. Moreover, the Sharks said that maintaining game integrity is a top priority and that the team will support a “full and transparent investigation.”
Kane’s Gambling Past
Kane may not have gambled on NHL activity, but he has a history as a gambler. This past January, despite signing a $49-million contract with the Sharks in 2018, he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in California as a means to prevent creditors from seeking restitution for his outstanding debt. At the time, Kane reported $1.5 million in gambling losses over the past year.
In November 2019, he was sued by the The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas for failing to pay $500,000 in casino markers he was advanced in April that same year. That lawsuit was later dropped by the casino in April 2020.