Footballer gambles away his £15m fortune
EPL footballer hooked on online gambling
A TOP-FLIGHT footballer has blown his entire £15million fortune after becoming addicted to online gambling.
The international, who plays in the English Premier League, has earned millions through contracts, endorsements and sponsorship.
But he got hooked on card and casino games early in his career
and is now struggling financially due to his massive losses.
A whistleblower identified the star, who cannot be named, as one of a rising tide of top footballers who blow millions betting online.
The British midfielder is now praying for a new contract so he can maintain his lifestyle.
But he has been forced to sell his house because he could no longer afford the mortgage payments.
His gambling problem became apparent as he struggled to pay his monthly bills despite a salary of around £40,000 a week – almost £2million a year.
The player is one of several at his club who have online accounts at the same bookies.
Our source said: “He has a VIP rating. You can see from his account that he is being invited to all the big race days, parties and football matches.
“He is one of a number of players at the same club who opened accounts – all of them big names and well known to fans. As a top player, he gets all the benefits the bookies can offer.”
But a source close to the star said: “He has moved from his previous home because he couldn’t keep up the mortgage payments.
“It is desperate when you think how much he has earned in his career. They have the posh cars but they are all leased.
“Their home isn’t as good as the one before – and he has to rent. He is trying to sort out a new contract but he is sweating on it because he needs to keep on earning to maintain his lifestyle. “It is a terrible place to be.” We told yesterday how Burnley star Joey Barton bet £500 that he would be transferred to a top-flight club in a bid to win £5000.
The midfielder, who played for Rangers at the start of the season, was banned from football for 18 months on an FA betting rap.