Gretzky's wife says he not sports bettor

PHOENIX, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Actress Janet Jones, named in an investigation of a reputed gambling ring, says she never placed a wager on behalf of her husband, Phoenix Coach Wayne Gretzky.

Jones said Gretzky, Phoenix Coyotes co-owner and head coach and an all-time great as a player, had "done nothing wrong, nothing that has to do with betting."

Addressing a betting scandal that led to the arrest of Coyotes Associate Coach Rick Tocchet, she said in a statement, "Other than the occasional horse race, my husband does not bet on any sports," USA Today reported Friday.

Meanwhile, the Newark Star-Ledger said Gretzky and Tocchet were reported overheard on state wiretaps discussing how authorities found out about Tocchet's alleged multimillion-dollar gambling operation and ways the two could minimize the fallout for themselves and Gretzky's wife.

There is no evidence Gretzky placed any bets. But, sources have said Gretzky's wife wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars through the ring.