The Biggest Celebrity Collapses Caused by Gambling

NBA legend Charles Barkley said in a 2006 ESPN interview that he had lost about 10 million dollars. Of that, 2.5 million dollars went in a single six-hour session. In 2015 he said his total losses were close to 30 million dollars.

Charlie Sheen's former wife Denise Richards claimed during their 2006 divorce proceedings that the actor was spending 2 million dollars a year on betting. The figure comes from court records but has not been independently verified. Sheen's fortune was estimated at more than 100 million dollars.

Golfer John Daly wrote in his autobiography, published in 2006, that he had lost between 50 and 60 million dollars over about 12 years. At the 2005 World Golf Championship, Daly lost a playoff to Tiger Woods and finished second. He then went to Las Vegas and lost 1.65 million dollars in five hours. His tournament earnings from that event were 750 thousand dollars.

The career of former NFL quarterback Art Schlichter ended because of gambling. Schlichter was drafted fourth overall in 1982, but after his links to bookmakers came to light he was suspended for the 1983 season. Police reported in 1986 that he had wagered more than 200 thousand dollars on sports betting alone. In 1988 he filed for bankruptcy with debts exceeding 1 million dollars. He stole from relatives and acquaintances and in 1995 received a federal prison sentence.

Gambling is legal only for those who are 18 or older, and it can become addictive.