In the wake of more allegations surfacing of Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek's ties to an illegal gambling ring, the Austrian winger has stated he is done with wagering, per the Star Tribune.
In July it was revealed that Vanek was a government witness in a court case surrounding a Rochester, NY sports bar that was accused of taking bets and laundering money to pay off debts. One of the bar's owners, Mark Ruff, faces nine years in prison for his actions after pleading guilty in federal court Thursday.
Vanek spent 10 years in the Buffalo Sabres organization, including time in Rochester playing for the club's American Hockey League team.
Ruff's attorney told reporters a $230,000 check that was used to pay off gambling debts came from the New York Islanders payroll. Steve Bartlett, Vanek's agent, has vehemently denied any criminal wrongdoing by the 30-year-old.
"Vanek is not the subject of any investigation or criminal charges or anything whatsoever," Bartlett said.
"I look at it as bad decisions," the winger said. "There's no other way to sugarcoat it or make it seem what it's not. I've feel I've done nothing wrong besides to my family and to myself, and I've got to move on to that."
Vanek has denied he has a gambling addiction, stating "It's something I got caught up into."
Have you ever got "caught-up" into......
hno: I always thought the Better team won when reality is, the Bettors team wins!
In July it was revealed that Vanek was a government witness in a court case surrounding a Rochester, NY sports bar that was accused of taking bets and laundering money to pay off debts. One of the bar's owners, Mark Ruff, faces nine years in prison for his actions after pleading guilty in federal court Thursday.
Vanek spent 10 years in the Buffalo Sabres organization, including time in Rochester playing for the club's American Hockey League team.
Ruff's attorney told reporters a $230,000 check that was used to pay off gambling debts came from the New York Islanders payroll. Steve Bartlett, Vanek's agent, has vehemently denied any criminal wrongdoing by the 30-year-old.
"Vanek is not the subject of any investigation or criminal charges or anything whatsoever," Bartlett said.
"I look at it as bad decisions," the winger said. "There's no other way to sugarcoat it or make it seem what it's not. I've feel I've done nothing wrong besides to my family and to myself, and I've got to move on to that."
Vanek has denied he has a gambling addiction, stating "It's something I got caught up into."
Have you ever got "caught-up" into......
hno: I always thought the Better team won when reality is, the Bettors team wins!
