Famous Footballers Who Like to Gamble in Casinos

Football players live a glamorous lifestyle. Apart from playing in the field, they often spend their free time in the casino online, such as in poker games and blackjack. Whether it's for the thrill of the game or the social atmosphere, plenty of famous athletes enjoy spending time and money in online platforms, particularly after a vital victory or Champions League match.

Some of the biggest names in football enjoy a bit of gambling on the side, from poker to thrilling rounds at the casino. Popular soccer-playing moguls are also avid gamblers in casino titles, whether in-person at a betting den or online. These footballers know how to enjoy a nice moment, and many of them have even won big, majorly in poker too.

While some clubs may frown upon their players for doing this, others see it as a harmless way for them to unwind and have fun. During the research, our specialists found and collected in interesting review information that for some professional football players, gaming at casinos with $5 minimum deposit may be a way to enjoy their favorite games without breaking the bank. So, let's kick off if you're interested in learning more about their addiction to internet betting titles.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney was an English pro footballer who played for the football club Derby County in the Championship. Rooney is best known for their prolific goalscoring record. He became a reputable scorer while playing for different clubs.

Rooney has been a prolific goalscorer and played at various football teams. He is one of three Englishmen who have scored 200+ Premier League goals.

Rooney has been spotted gambling in Las Vegas and Monaco. Known to play casino titles such as blackjack and roulette and enjoy a spot of poker, Rooney has been seen making wagers on sporting events and horse racing.

Gianluigi Buffon

Italian teams have long suffered from negative stereotypes and accusations of match-fixing. Sadly, one of these stars was Gianluigi Buffon – twice suspected of illegal gambling. Thankfully, the veteran goalkeeper was found not guilty in both cases.

That hasn’t stopped him from becoming an ambassador for a gambling platform. Moreover, bookmakers opened a gaming line to predict Buffon’s next move when he left Paris Saint Germain. The most likely option was a transfer to Parma, with odds of 2.50 on offer.

Anyone who placed a slip and was lucky enough to guess correctly could score a big win! Luckily, this was the case, and Buffon is now in Parma Calcio 1913, probably until the end of his pro career.

In addition to being an avid gambler and poker player, Buffon seems quite fond of slots. His favorite pastime involves activities on slot machines like Joker Strike or Starburst.

Tony Adams

Tony Adams is a legend in English football. He was a pillar of Arsenal's defense in the second half of the 80s and 90s, winning four league titles and one Cup Winners' Cup in 1994.

Unfortunately, Adams was an alcoholic and went to jail for drunk driving in 1990. After his release from prison, Arsene Wenger helped him break his addiction and return to football.

In addition to alcohol, Adams was passionate about gambling. He invested a lot in sports betting activities like poker and lost a lot of funds to bookmakers.

After finishing his career, Adams opened a clinic for addicts to alcohol and betting. He was addicted like others because he was not playing responsibly. Using websites that are not licensed and not reputable contributes to being addicted, as they promise high payouts on biased games. He believes that 70% of athletes are treated in his institution for gaming addiction, while players in the lower leagues drown their stress in a glass. Adams wants to spread awareness among famous players about the dangers of gambling.

David Bentley

David Bentley is a former English player who made his name as a talented winger in the Premier League. He started his career at Arsenal before playing for several other British football teams and spending a year in the Russian Premier League.

However, David Bentley's love of gambling had been present from a very early age, when he placed his first bet at 14. As his career grew and he earned a more substantial income, he turned to experienced betting. Bentley was known to place poker and horse racing bets and was particularly fond of games like Blackjack and Baccarat.

Unfortunately, what began as an innocent hobby quickly became an addiction for David Bentley because he played more irresponsibly, wagering in excess at unreliable platforms, as he consistently lost considerable amounts of money. He finally overcame this problem with the support of his girlfriend, and by the end of his career, he had become a successful gambler. In 2017, David Bentley even appeared on the European Poker Tour.

This marked the beginning of a new era, as he proved that making a living off gambling is possible if done responsibly. Nowadays, Bentley spends most of his leisure on online poker tournaments but still makes trips to various gaming sites around Europe.

Roy Carroll

Roy Carroll was a goalkeeper who once showed great promise. He was signed by Manchester United in 2001 and hoped to become their first-choice goalkeeper, but he was met with competition from the already-established French international Fabien Barthez.

However, his passion for gambling became more important for Carroll than his footballing career. He was said to have frequently played poker and drank a lot, and his favorite pastimes included horse racing, sportsbooks, and the lottery. There were rumors that he had lost thirty thousand pounds on a club bus to a teammate, though he has denied this.

After failing to become the main goalkeeper of West Ham United, Carroll began to settle down with less eminent football teams, such as Odense Boldklub and Greek side OFI Crete. He finished his career at the Northern Irish club Linfield, having made over five hundred appearances in the pro matches.

Bottom Line

Prominent players worldwide have been known use at betting places, some doing so for fun and others for more serious purposes. Whatever their motivations may be, betting can be a risky endeavor if not done responsibly. While seeing some of our favorite soccer stars at the tables is exciting, we hope they make wise decisions and stay within their budget. It's always important to remember that when gaming, you should do it safely and know the right moment to walk away.