Ex-NBAer Barkley admits to big gambling problem

CTV.CA ^ | 0501/2006 | AP

[Responsibility2nd]

BRISTOL, Conn. -- Charles Barkley says he has a gambling problem, estimating in an interview that he's lost about $10 million US over the years.

"My agent has really worked with me to try to get it where I can go and gamble and have fun,'' Barkley told ESPN in an interview Wednesday.

`That's easier said than done. Do I have a gambling problem? Yeah, I do have a gambling problem. But I don't consider it a problem because I can afford to gamble.''

Barkley said he's not concerned about his habit because he has enough money to cover his losses, though he did say he hoped to wager less money.

"When I gamble I should be playing $1,000 a hand instead of $20,000 a hand, because if I played for $1,000 a hand I probably could lose $50,000 to $100,000 a hand instead of millions of dollars,'' Barkley said. "And I've got to reach a happy medium because I've told all of the people in my life that first and foremost it's my money.''

Barkley said the thrill of competition has a lot to do with his urge to wager. "I like to gamble and I'm not going to quit,'' he said. "I've just got to get it under control.''

Barkley, elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame last month, averaged 22.1 points and nearly 12 rebounds a game in a 16-year career that included stops in Philadelphia, Phoenix and Houston. He was the league's MVP in 1993 and he won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as part of the original U.S. Dream Team.

In his upcoming autobiography, golfer John Daly said that he has lost between $50 million and $60 million during 12 years of heavy gambling, and that it has become a problem that could "flat-out ruin me'' if he doesn't bring it under control.

[Responsibility2nd]

The biggest mouth in the NBA doesn't sound too worried....... yet.

[jdm]

Hasn't he already hit the lottery?

[cripplecreek]

I noticed that his goal is to lose less, not quit gambling. I tried that with drinking and it didn't work till I decided to quit.