Many bookmakers prohibit athletes from betting on events that they compete in, as they tend to have an advantage over the regular bettor. That hasn’t stopped these athletes from enjoying the thrill of gambling. These players frequent bookmakers, casinos, and top UK bingo sites listed and reviewed by NonGamstopUkCasino. Michael Jordan, Pete Rose, Tiger Woods, and Dana White are some players that fall into this category.
The element of risk in gambling is a major draw for athletes. Knowing they can win every betting round and have enough cash to spare, they keep placing bets, hoping to land a huge win. If they’re lucky, they walk away with a fatter pocket, which can quickly get out of hand if the activity isn’t controlled. In this article, we discuss why athletes are prone to gambling and some players who gamble.
Why Athletes are Prone to Gambling?
Gambling is a favourite pastime for many individuals, but athletes are more susceptible to gambling than regular people. This attraction could be attributed to the benefits that come with it, such as winning money and even being given VIP treatment at casinos and online betting sites. However, athletes are more prone to gambling mainly because of the thrill of winning.
When an athlete or a fellow player scores on the field, the brain releases dopamine, which excites them. This same chemical is released when you gamble. Simply put, players turn to gamble when not competing to feel the same excitement that comes with winning. Unfortunately, this can lead to a gambling problem.
A 2004 study on gambling among sportspeople in the UK showed that the rate of athletes developing a gambling problem exceeded that of the general population, and there are a few reasons for this.
First, athletes are hardwired to win, so when they lose a bet, they keep chasing their losses, forgetting that the outcome of the next bet doesn’t depend on the result of their previous sessions. In other words, they could keep losing until there’s nothing more to gamble with.
Second, they have enough cash to spend. So, if a bet is unsuccessful, they can just place another, not worrying about the impact on their pockets. However, they could easily overspend and may only realise it too late.
Athletes who gamble
Below are a few athletes who enjoy gambling. Some of these sportsmen have been lucky to cash out big time; most have suffered huge losses, and their habits have tainted their reputations.
Tiger Woods
Eldrick “Tiger” Woods, an inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame, is considered one of the best golfers ever. He holds several golf records, including the second in men’s major championships and the most PGA Tour victories. However, winning golf was not his only strength; he was also known as an avid gambler. The golfer, who once noted that wagering on sports is one of the forms of entertainment, is said to have a knack for high-stakes blackjack tables, where he wagers up to $250,000 per hand.
Michael Jordan
Jordan is a phenomenon in the basketball world. He has played in 14 NBA All-Star Games and won six NBA Finals MVP titles in addition to his six championship rings. Unfortunately, Jordan was known for having a gambling problem, which caused several controversies. In an interview with GQ, the icon agreed that gambling was his form of thrill, and he sees it as a competition he should win. His habits once caused him to lose $5 million playing craps in Las Vegas.
Pete Rose
Peter Rose was an MLB player from 1963 to 1986, most remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds, a dominant force in the National League throughout the 1970s. He has won Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Batting Champion, and three World Series. Rose was known as a gambler, and his betting on baseball landed him a lifetime ban on August 24, 1989. He denied his gambling problems until 2003, when he came clean about them in his autobiography, My Prison Without Bars.
Rick Tocchet
Richard Tocchet is a former professional ice hockey player and current coach. He spent 18 seasons in the NHL, split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings. On February 6, 2006, Tocchet was charged with funding a New Jersey-based sports betting ring in which numerous active NHL players participated. He pleaded guilty in exchange for a reduced sentence of two years probation.
Dana White
Despite his busy schedule overseeing the Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Slap Fighting League, Dana White finds time to indulge in gambling. Dana’s gambling journey has had its ups and downs. He has won millions at high-stakes blackjack tables in Las Vegas casinos. In fact, Palms Casino restricted him from playing after congratulating him on a big win with a UFC-style world championship belt. The businessman has won more than $7 million on one night and also lost up to $1 million on another.
Denny McClain
Baseball is one of the most popular sports, and one player who has left a mark in baseball is Dennis McLain. He is among only 11 pitchers in history to win 30 games in a single season. Unfortunately, his career took a negative turn due to his gambling obsession. It all started when the Penthouse and Sports Illustrated published articles detailing the player’s involvement in bookmaking in February 1970, leading to an indefinite suspension.
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley, a former professional basketball player from the United States, currently works as a television analyst for TNT and CBS Sports. Barkley won the 1993 NBA MVP award and was named an NBA All-Star 11 times. In an interview with ESPN in 2006, Barkley revealed that he had lost over $10 million throughout his lifetime, including $2.5 million in two hours. Barkley knew he was headed down a dangerous road, but he claimed he couldn’t stop gambling because it wasn’t harming his personal life. Plus, he had the means to indulge in his risky endeavour. However, he finally found the strength to go to rehab and learn to control his habit.
