Ex-England star Gabby Agbonlahor opens up on his addiction to gambling and poker
Gabby Agbonlahor has candidly admitted to previously struggling with a gambling addiction after football was rocked by an Italian betting probe this week.
More than 40 players have been accused of placing money on matches following an investigation, with Newcastle star Sandro Tonali among those potentially facing a lengthy ban. The midfielder was withdrawn from his national squad to face England on Tuesday, and his agent has since claimed he has an addiction to gambling.
The saga has put fresh scrutiny on gambling in football, with Brentford's Ivan Toney currently serving a ban for more than 232 breaches of FA regulations. And former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor has conceded he too bet huge sums of money during his career.
"It wasn't about winning money," he said on his morning talkSPORT show with Alan Brazil. "I was earning good money at Aston Villa at the time. It was more about being single, no kids, living with a couple of friends, and we used to finish training quite early with Martin O'Neill. We'd be done by 12.30pm.
"So it was a case of coming home and being bored. You'd get on your laptop, you'd play your poker online, then you might go to the casino in the evenings and before you know it you're in Palm Beach Casino playing poker with the big dogs."
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And Agbonlahor, who won three caps for England, insists he wasn't the only player to become addicted. He also insinuated that issues for players extended beyond betting on the outcomes of matches.
Gabby Agbonlahor has opened up on his previous gambling problems (Twitter/@talkSPORT)HAVE YOUR SAY! Is gambling rife in football? Comment below.
"It becomes an addiction and it happened to a lot of players at the club," he added. "So for me it was never betting on football it was more the poker."
Agbonlahor, 37, was also adamant that gambling is no longer an issue in his personal life. But he did call for greater understanding and help for players who struggle.
In the meantime, Tonali has returned to training with Newcastle and will be available for Saturday's home game with Crystal Palace. Aston Villa midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, on loan this season at Galatasaray, was also named in the scandal.
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