Soccer is the king of sports, bringing together millions of people watching their favorite teams in action. Some soccer fans also take their passion to the next level by wagering money, which helps them show their support for their team while also hoping to profit in the process.
But did you know that some of the players they bet on are also trying their luck on casino games? This article will explore seven gambling addiction stories from some of the world’s most famous soccer players.
Before we start, it’s essential to know that gambling is highly addictive and can lead to massive losses. If you’re considering playing casino games, you should at least make informed decisions.
Our recommendation is to use a specialty site like Casinobonusca, where you can get all the necessary information for a responsible gambling session, including wagering requirements, terms and conditions, and RTP. Suppose you know that you’re vulnerable to gambling addiction. In that case, you should look for a platform that allows you to set deposit limits, which will help you control your spending.
Without further ado, let’s begin!
⦁ Dominic Matteo
The former Leeds United captain and Liverpool defender Dominic Matteo is a Scottish soccer star who had a legendary career between 1992-2009. Unfortunately, Dominic developed a gambling addiction that resulted in a debt of over C$1 million and officially declared bankruptcy.
On top of losing seven figures on gambling, he claims to have spent as much as C$100,000 on a single horse bet. After a long struggle with addiction, he finally decided to come forward with his gambling problem in his biography “In My Defence.”
Dominic’s confession was touching, especially the part where he mentioned that he played his daughter’s inheritance. Through his book and gambling awareness interviews, the former athlete aims to help other addicts prevent committing the same mistakes as he did.
⦁ Michael Chopra
Former New Castle United, Cardiff City, and Sunderland striker Michael Chopra confessed that his gambling addiction has begun in his early days at New Castle. In an interview for SMH, he declared that his passion for casino games started as a fun game between his club mates while on the bus. They would have huge buy-ins, which were going up to C$53.900 during one session.
He confessed that during his high roller poker sessions on the bus, he lost over C$3.59 million. Soon, his gambling addiction started to take effect in his family life. Chopra’s father had to sell the house to pay his son’s debt.
Later, the former striker faced charges from the British Horseracing Authority because of his suspicious betting activity. After spending some time at the Sporting Chance recovery facility created by Arsenal’s Tony Adams, Chopra got better and got rid of his addiction before retiring in 2016. He is currently working as a sports agent and broker for Only4Starts Players and Match Agency in Amsterdam.
⦁ Eidur Gudjohnsen
The former Chelsea striker has started gambling after having an injury that made him feel bored and lonely. In just five months, Gudjohnsen lost over C$700,000 in the casino. In an interview for TheStar, the athlete declared that gambling made him feel the same adrenaline rush as scoring a goal.
He thought that casino games are magical, but he soon realized that the feeling wasn’t natural. Eidur was looking for a quick fix for his boredom, but gambling made things worse than they were, taking him to the point where he started chasing his losses.
His gambling activities continued long after his recovery from the injury. During his time playing for Barcelona, things got out of control. Gudjohnsen ended up having a debt of over C$7 million to various banks across Europe. In 2009, he made a vow that he will never gamble again after going public with his addiction. Soon after his confession, he started coaching for the Icelandic under-21 soccer team.
⦁ Paul Merson
The former midfielder for the English national team has a long history of addiction. In his early days, Paul Merson struggled to quit drugs and alcohol until he discovered that gambling was more challenging than any of the substances he’s ever consumed.
Paul lost up to C$53,000 during a single casino session and ended up having a whopping C$12 million in debt. In 2008, he was forced to give up his C$530,000 home after missing the mortgage payments, and at that moment, he finally realized that he needs to go to a rehab centre.
Everything seemed fine for Paul Merson, but in a 2019 ITV documentary, he confessed that he relapsed once again, speaking openly about his struggle with substance abuse, depression, and casinos. Right now, the 51-year-old is a pundit for Sky Sports, and he is trying hard to maintain a balanced and positive attitude.
⦁ Matthew Etherington
The former winger of West Ham, Tottenham, and Stoke was an avid poker player and horse race bettor. His gambling addiction led to accumulating debts of over C$2.5 million before he finally decided to seek help for his addiction.
With the help of his mother, Matthew Etherington took control of his gambling addiction by working with the Professional Footballer’s Association. Later, he spent some time at the famous Sporting Chance clinic for complete recovery.
Matthew retired from the professional soccer scene in December 2014 after a back injury. Right now, he’s working towards a career in management, and he still attends Gambler Anonymous meetings to avoid relapsing.
⦁ Dietmar Hamann
The former German midfielder reported that he was gambling on and off throughout his career, especially during his divorce and the moments he spent away from his children. Instead of facing reality, Dietmar turned to gambling and started losing as much as C$350.000 in one session.
When he retired, he was an Anfield legend, and then he became a coach for MK Dons, Leicester, and Stockport County. At the age of 41, he even made a short return to the soccer field with the amateur side TuS Haltren. Still, his focus is on becoming an expert writer of various sports publications.
⦁ Wayne Rooney
Considered one of the most potent strikers to have ever played in the English Premier League, Wayne Rooney is a legend in the soccer community. Any Manchester United fan will remember Rooney’s signature goals that brought him so much appreciation throughout his career.
According to Wayne Rooney, he was addicted to gambling in his youth. The athlete was betting on soccer, dogs, and horses, which resulted in a debt of nearly C$1 million. Luckily for him, these days are long gone, and he is happily living with his family. His impulsive gambling resulted from being so young and having a ton of money, which can be quite hard to deal with.
Final thoughts
Gambling addiction is a severe problem, and even soccer players are vulnerable to it. However, there are many systems and organizations responsible for taking care of impulsive gambling behavior.
Thus, if you ever feel overwhelmed by your addiction, don’t hesitate to contact a responsible gambling organization or limit your gambling activities directly from the platform you’re betting on. If the world’s most renowned soccer player could solve their addiction through rehab, so can you.