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Gambling has been an issue for NBA players and professional athletes since long before the widespread legalization of online sports betting in the United States. On the court, all-stars Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan shared a deep rivalry fueled by their love of basketball. Off the court, the two had another love in common – gambling.
Barkley’s gambling habits trace all the way back to the 1980s, when he was on the Philadelphia 76ers. He quickly became known for his flippant view of money and his routine gambling.
These frequent gambling habits, however, soon turned into an addiction. Barkley found himself drawn to the shining lights and captivating promises of Las Vegas casinos. Instead of hitting it big, however, his losses began adding up. Barkley ultimately wagered away nearly his entire NBA fortune.
In all, Barkley has admitted to losing a jaw-dropping $20 million to gambling throughout his lifetime.
Despite his losses, Barkley still thinks of gambling fondly. On a recent episode of the podcast “Spittin’ Chiclets,” Barkley discussed his love of both gambling and alcohol, saying:
“I love to drink, uh, I do. I love to drink and gamble, two of my favorite things in the world.”
Barkley is far from the only pro star to let his betting habits get the best of him. Michael Jordan was the first pro basketball player to have his gambling habits revealed via mainstream media.
In 1993, Jordan was accused of having a $1.2 million unpaid gambling debt. He denied these allegations, saying that his accuser Richard Esquinas vastly exaggerated Jordan’s debt, which in truth only amounted to $300,000.
Nonetheless, this accusation caused immense controversy and permanently tarnished Jordan’s reputation.
Jordan denied that his gambling behavior fell under the umbrella of gambling addiction. He continued to gamble despite his massive losses and the negative impact gambling had on his life.
Gambling addiction is likely far more prevalent among professional athletes than we know. Barkley and Jordan serve as prime examples of the personal and financial issues that can result from excessive gambling.
Barkley’s story is unique, however, in that Barkley is openly sharing and discussing his gambling problems. He sheds light on the issue through his transparency, serving as a model for fellow pro athletes who may be struggling with gambling addiction.
Addiction issues can appear elsewhere as well. For Barkley, those came in the struggle to maintain a healthy weight. As a result, Barkley is intent on offering support and guidance to current NBA players. He offered advice to Zion Williamson, for instance, whose own struggles with weight may have played a factor in his recent injuries.
Barkley remains active in the gambling industry today, though in a slightly different way. These days, Barkley serves as one of the primary brand ambassadors for FanDuel Sportsbook.
In his latest ad with the sportsbook, Barkley discusses NBA betting options, saying he wished he had those sports betting options while he was playing basketball.
Barkley is then joined by a CGI version of his younger self in a Suns uniform, using NBA nostalgia to encourage betting on this year’s NBA season.
