The NHL said it is launching an investigation into San Jose Sharks player Evander Kane after his wife claimed that he bet on his own games.
Kane’s wife Anna alleged in a Saturday night social media post that her husband gambled on his own hockey games, writing on Instagram, “@nhl Can someone ask [NHL Commissioner] Gary Bettman how they can let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?”
She also wrote in a social media post, “How does the NHL let a compulsive gambling addict still play when he’s obviously throwing games to win money? Hmm maybe someone needs to address this,” according to The Associated Press.
In a separate Instagram post, Anna Kane, who is reportedly pregnant with the couple's second child, said her husband left for a vacation in Europe when “our house is being taken by the bank.” She also accused him of forcing her to sell her wedding ring while noting that she was unable to purchase formula for their 1-year-old daughter.
The NHL responded on Saturday night, writing in a tweet that it was “made aware” of the allegations and that it plans to “conduct a full investigation.”
“The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously,” the league added.
Evander Kane reacted to the allegations on Sunday morning, posting two statements to social media that rejected the claims made by his wife.
“Unfortunately I would like to address the completely FALSE accusations that my estranged wife and soon to be ex wife has made against me,” Evander Kane wrote.
“I have NEVER gambled/bet on Hockey, NEVER gambled/bet on any of my games and NEVER thrown a hockey game,” he added.
Kane said he looks forward to “cooperating fully with the league’s investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season.”
The Sharks player also addressed the allegations made against him regarding his daughter in a separate statement, accusing his wife of restricting his access.
“She has refused me to see her and has unfortunately tried to use my daughter as leverage. I will continue to always take care of my family that goes without question,” he wrote.
“I would encourage people to realize that someone who goes to this length to try and jeopardize someone's career with lies is mentally unwell. I hope this is the last time I will be publicly addressing any further misrepresentations of me as a father,” he added.
San Jose Sharks Media Relations Manager Kyle Stuetzel said the team supports a “full and transparent investigation” into the “serious allegations” made against Kane.
“The San Jose Sharks have been in contact today with the National Hockey League about the serious allegations made against Evander Kane. We support a full and transparent investigation into the situation to maintain the integrity of the game and consistency with our team values,” Stuetzel told The Hill in a statement.
“The Sharks will not be commenting further at this time,” he added.
In 2019, Kane was sued by a casino in Las Vegas that argued that the player did not pay a $500,000 gambling debt that was incurred during a playoff series against the Golden Knights, according to the AP.
Kane is three seasons into his seven-year, $49 million contract with the Sharks, the news service noted.