Football is widely recognised as a unifying force, bringing people from different walks of life together worldwide. Despite their dissimilarities in social status and background, individuals all over the globe share a passion for this game.
Similarly, gambling is also a widespread pastime across the globe, with numerous athletes and celebrities indulging in casino games or sports betting.
A common thing that all people do is play at online casino sites, which also brings up several benefits such as free casino promo codes for existing SlotsCalendar customers. Even football stars are no exception, as they may also try a new way of gambling.
Several athletes at Liverpool Football Club enjoy this fun pastime. Practically, the city of Liverpool is synonymous with football and is home to one of the most successful football clubs in the world: Liverpool FC.
Over the years, Liverpool has produced some of the best football players in the world, with many of them becoming household names.
Liverpool football stars are famous for their passion on and off the field, which includes their gambling habits.
In this article, we’ll take a look at who are some of the prominent Liverpool athletes that enjoy high-stakes gambling. Let’s roll!
Dominic Matteo
Dominic, who played for Liverpool for nearly two decades, was an avid gambler during his peak years, although his favourite pastime was unknown to the public. Matteo kept his gambling habit private and was not proud of it. Not even his family members were aware of his gambling activities.
He was not a responsible gambler and felt ashamed of his losses, going as far as concealing them. In 2015, he was on the verge of bankruptcy after losing almost all his money to gambling.
In his book, he confessed to being in debt for over £1,000,000 as a result of his gambling addiction. Currently, he promotes responsible gambling and encourages minimal betting.
Steven Gerrard
In 2005, Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool and England football captain, made headlines when he was spotted at a casino in Southport, where he reportedly spent a staggering £20,000 in one night. This incident was just one of many that pointed to Gerrard’s struggle with gambling addiction.
Despite being a hugely successful footballer, Gerrard found himself drawn to the thrill of high-stakes gambling, often spending large amounts of money in casinos and horse racing. His addiction was so severe that he reportedly lost around £500,000 in one year alone.
Gerrard’s gambling habit not only affected his personal life but also put a strain on his professional career. Everyone put his focus and dedication to the sport under a big question mark, and he received criticism for his lacklustre performances on the field.
Fortunately, Gerrard sought help for his addiction and was able to overcome it. In his autobiography, he admitted that his gambling habit was one of the biggest regrets of his life and warned others about the dangers of gambling addiction.
Today, Gerrard is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of his generation, having won numerous titles and accolades throughout his career. While his struggles with a gambling addiction may have tarnished his reputation in the past, he has since proven himself to be a strong and resilient individual who has overcome his demons and emerged as a true champion.
Daniel Sturridge
Many individuals who gamble take pleasure in discovering loopholes and manipulating the system. While some methods, such as card counting in blackjack and arbitrage betting, are technically lawful, others, such as insider betting, are unequivocally illegal. Unfortunately, Daniel crossed this line when he instructed his brother to place bets on both Sevilla and AC Milan.
After an inquiry found out that Daniel had disclosed insider information, he received a six-week suspension and a £75,000 fine. However, the commission deemed this penalty insufficient and extended the ban until July 2020, doubling the fine.
Michael Owen
Michael Owen, the former England football star, has been known to have a penchant for gambling. Reports suggest that he lost over £1 million during a single gambling session, highlighting the severity of his addiction.
Owen’s gambling habit has been the subject of much scrutiny, with many questioning whether it impacted his career on the field. While he was a hugely successful footballer, having won multiple titles and accolades, his performances were sometimes inconsistent, which some attributed to his off-field distractions.
In his autobiography, Owen admitted to having a gambling problem, saying it started innocently enough with small bets but quickly spiralled out of control. He also revealed that he sought help for his addiction and has since been able to overcome it.
Despite the negative impact that his gambling habit had on his life, Owen remains a respected figure in the football world. He has become a successful pundit, commentator, and racehorse owner, proving he is more than just a footballer.
Owen’s story serves as a warning to others about the dangers of gambling addiction. While it may seem harmless initially, it can quickly become all-consuming and have severe consequences. Fortunately, with the right help and support, overcoming this addiction and regaining control of one’s life is possible.
Conclusion
We hope this article gave you a new perspective on gambling addiction and offered unique insights about your favourite players.
Each of these stories serves as a warning against the perils of irresponsible gambling, even for those with ample financial resources. Therefore, playing with caution and maintaining control over your expenses is crucial.
