San Jose Shark player, Evander Kane has filled for bankruptcy in the state of California. The star forward has cited gambling debts as one of the major factors behind his financial problems. This is not the first time that Kane’s gambling has been brought to the public’s attention, in 2019 a casino sued Kane for half a million dollars in unpaid gambling markers. Evander Kane’s problem gambling is not an isolated experience. Many other professional athletes have dealt with gambling issues, including John Daly, Wayne Rooney, and Alex Rodriguez.
Gambling has become a prevalent aspect of recreation and entertainment in today’s society. Studies have shown that a majority of individuals have participated in gambling throughout their lives and that these rates are even higher among athletes. Derevensky and colleagues found that elite athletes may be highly susceptible to developing problem gambling due to their age, access to funds, the glamorization of gambling, risk taking behaviour, and variety of other factors. Gambling problems have the potential to led to negative mental health consequences and as evident in Kane’s experience, serious financial issues.
In order to support athletes’, actions should be taken in order to help prevent and recover from problem gambling. One option presented by Moolman is to provide professional athletes with a financial literacy course and advisors throughout their careers. This could help protect young athletes from the risk of financial distress that comes with the rapid rise of earnings at such a young age.
Hillard A.
Featured image: NHL Star, Evander Kane (Source: Jeff Chiu/AP)
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 