Thomas Hein
According to chrysaliscourses.ac.uk, a former Premier League footballer, Keith Gillespie, admitted to using more than £7 million of his income to gamble.
The 38-year-old represented his native Northern Ireland on 86 occasions while playing for some of England’s top clubs.
However, his large earnings while playing for Manchester United, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, and Leicester City had only been enough to cover his last trip to the bookies.
A start of a dangerous trend
He served as Sir Alex Ferguson’s runner at United when the players still trained at The Cliff. Ferguson would provide Gillespie with his wager and his football coupon before sending him to the neighborhood bookmaker to put Ferguson’s wager.
Accordingly, Ferguson would pay him a sizable gratuity when the wager won. Regardless, according to Gillespie, Ferguson is not to blame for his behavior.
Things only became serious once he relocated to Newcastle and realized how simple it was to place his bets over the phone.
Gillespie lost all his 15 years of earnings at the top of a game that generously rewards its top players. He would spend money on a few people he believed to be pals. Their dishonesty led him to make unwise investments.
His participation in various schemes was not unique. Others on the field expect a flood of football-related bankruptcies in the years to come.
Gambling excessively
However, the majority of Gillespie’s funds were placed with the bookies. He began his career when many still saw gambling as a safe pastime. Keith Gillespie lost £47,000 on horses in a single day. He lost another £15,000 the following day trying to recover his losses. Gillespie lost most of his £7.2 million career earnings due to his gambling addiction.
The player admitted to making terrible investments and lost some money, but he spent the most on gambling.
In October 1995, during what he refers to as “Black Friday,” the ex-winger lost £62,000 on football and horse racing over two days. He forewarns that he won’t be the only footballer to fall victim to the scam.
Following a petition by HM Revenue and Customs Commissioners regarding a £137,000 tax obligation, Gillespie was declared bankrupt in 2010.
A growing trend among athletes
There have long been rumors that a prominent Premier League player, in particular, has placed enormous bets. And Gillespie is certain that every Premier League club will have three excessively gambling players.
According to the player, similar circumstances that existed when he first began making a lot of money still exist today.
Players complete their training and return home in the late afternoon. Those not married probably return to an empty house or hotel room. Hence, they have plenty of free time, are bored, and have money to play with.
Matthew Etherington recently acknowledged losing £1.5 million at the bookies. Also, Andros Townsend received a four-month suspension in the summer after admitting to gambling on football.
Additionally, Gordon Taylor, the president of the players’ union, found himself in hot water over his gambling practices.
Guidance is now necessary more than ever
Gillespie is just one of several football players who have fallen victim to excessive gambling or debt. PFA Chairman Gordon Taylor claimed that up to 20% of retired Premier League players file for bankruptcy within five years of retirement.
Back in the day, if a person went to a bookmaker’s store in person, they could only lose what was in their pocket. However, thanks to the internet and phone accounts, it is much simpler to lose money faster.
The player suggests that many more professional players enroll in hypnotherapy classes to address their concerns by offering this guidance.
Gillespie claimed that going to a bookmaker’s shop cost him enough money that he couldn’t place big bets. He believes it’s even simpler now to place significant bets thanks to internet accounts and telephone services.
Why combating problem gambling is crucial
Society treats people who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction as sick in society. Furthermore, professional athletes receive numerous therapies and treatments to help them return to work.
In contrast, society frequently views those who gamble compulsively are evil people. Hence, they fail to receive the assistance they desperately need.
Recent revelations Casinomir’s new site reveal that the athletic population’s retired athletes may be the group most prone to pathological gambling. A former athlete can generally turn to gambling and sports gambling to satisfy these needs.
Mostly, this is because they no longer have a sporting event to quench their competitive thirsts.
Anyone who chooses to gamble or place bets on the outcome of an event runs the danger of developing difficulties.
Still, people with a natural tendency toward competition, such as athletes, need to pay more attention because there is an elevated risk.
