San Jose Sharks’ Evander Kane denies estranged wife’s allegations of betting on his own games

Is there smoke to the fire started by the estranged wife of San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane? In an Instagram post on Saturday, she raised a number of allegations about Kane’s behavior and character. Regarding sports gambling, she alleged that Kane has bet on his own games.

Commissioner Gary Bettman of the National Hockey League moved quickly to stem any questions about its legitimacy on Saturday. The league issued a statement and promised there will be next steps.

“The League was made aware this evening of a post on social media alleging that San Jose Sharks Player Evander Kane bet on NHL games,” the NHL said. “The integrity of our game is paramount and the League takes these allegations very seriously.”

The Instagram post included, “Can someone ask Gary Bettman how they can let a player gamble on his own games? Bet and win with bookies on his own games?”

Kane, 29, has certainly run into monetary troubles. This year, he had to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in California. He reported losses of $1.5 million from sports gambling as well as from gambling at casinos over the prior year.

Kane vehemently denies betting on hockey

On Sunday, Kane responded on Twitter, referencing the allegations as being written by “my estranged wife (Anna).”

Part of Kane’s tweet addressed the allegations that he bet on his own games:

Unfortunately I would like to address the completely FALSE accusations that my estranged wife and soon to be ex wife has made against me. Even against the advice of my legal team I feel strongly that the public and fans hear this directly from me.

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.

Cosmopolitan, a Las Vegas hotel and casino, dropped a 2019 lawsuit last year against Kane. The Cosmopolitan’s attorney, Lawrence Semenza, did not detail whether there was an out-of-court settlement on the suit that sought $500,000 repayment for Kane’s debts.

Kane’s tweet also referenced Anna’s supposed mental state. He alleged that she was unwilling to agree on reasonable terms for communicating with their daughter.

"I love the game of Hockey and would never do any of what was alleged," he wrote. "I look forward to cooperating fully with the league's investigation, having my name cleared and looking forward to this upcoming season."

A People.com report included further Instagram statements from Anna, including:

“So I was supposed to let you gamble, cheat on me with prostitutes and be ok with that life. Sorry these are the Facts, Everything Evander says is a calculated lie to make me look 'crazy.'”

In 2018, Kane signed a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Sharks. Last season, he tallied 49 points in 56 games, scoring 22 goals and recording 27 assists. Off-ice issues have long generated as much attention as his on-ice play. Along with his gambling and monetary issues, incidents and accusations of violence have occurred a number of times, including multiple accusations of violence against women.