The Premier League is England’s most notable sporting event. Not only that, but it is probably one of the most popular football tournaments worldwide, and certainly the number 1 most watched national league in the world.
Naturally, that means that plenty of the fans who watch, also bet on it. With millions of fans worldwide, it is no surprise that the Premier League draws in a huge amount of punters. However, what might surprise some is that a lot of the players in the EPL are no strangers to gambling.
Online Gambling Among Football Players
Online gambling has truly expanded the reach of the wider gambling industry. People can now gamble from home, or on the go, using nothing but a PC or smartphone. As long as you have a strong internet connection and a quality electronic device, you can access online casinos and play your favorite games.
Not to mention, many of them come with bonuses, such as the free spins at casino.online, which has captivated quite a lot of fans. Some of those captivated by online casinos happen to play in the Premier League. Let’s explore the secret lives of Premier League players who enjoy spinning the occasional slot.
Dominic Matteo
Dominic Matteo is a legend in the Premier League. He played for Liverpool, the current Premier League number 1, for eight years, during which time he racked up 276 appearances in the Premier League. Despite his incredible talent as a defender and midfielder, Dominic had to retire from football in 2009, due to a series of pretty serious injuries.
However, that does not mean that Matteo left the world of sports behind. In fact, he remained deeply entrenched in sports, though admittedly, not as a player. In various interviews, Matteo has admitted that he loves betting on sports, particularly horse racing.
In 2011, Dominic Matteo admitted that he is not a very good punter, as he has lost quite a lot of money on the ponies. However, he claims that he keeps coming back to it, more out of boredom than anything else.
Wayne Rooney
You can’t get much bigger of a star in the English Premier League than Wayne Rooney. The current record-holder for most English Premier League appearances, Mr. Rooney has continued to contribute to the game of football far beyond his retirement.
Currently, he is the manager of Birmingham City. However, during his peak, Rooney rubbed shoulders for the best of them, while sporting Man Utd.’s colors. After his retirement as a player, fans have spotted the superstar at various casinos around the world.
Purportedly, he is a fan of all sorts of classic gambling games. According to eyewitness testimony he loves playing roulette, blackjack, slots, and even poker. Some claim to have spotted him at baccarat tables as well.
In various interviews, Rooney, as well as his close friends have commented that the player has lost quite a bit of cash. However, many have reported that he has also won a lot as well. Though nobody has deemed to give an accurate number, we can assume based on testimony that Wayne Rooney was a better footballer than he is a gambler.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The former Manchester United player is, without a doubt one of the biggest superstars of the English Premier League. Indeed, many consider him the greatest footballer working today, despite his lack of success at the World Cup. Many are aware of his charismatic, if egotistical, personality, and to some, that is his main appeal.
However, what fewer people know about Cristiano Ronaldo is that he is quite a proficient, and prolific, card player. Ronaldo has been spotted several times at pretty notable poker events. He has even won some. The man himself has admitted to enjoying traditional card games like blackjack and poker.
These games are quite popular at online casinos, especially now that live casinos are a hit. Many players have switched over to live dealer blackjack, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to learn that Cristiano Ronaldo is among them.
Dietmar Hamann
Liverpool’s former midfielder, Dietmar Hamann is the last gambling enthusiast we are going to take a look at on our list. Hamann is well-known for his love of bookies specifically. He has bet on everything from cricket to horse racing, and of course football.
At the height of his popularity, Dietmar could afford to make unwise bets. According to him, the thrill of gambling was better than the payout itself. However, throughout his entire career, Dietmar Hamann has maintained that football fans, and gamblers in general, should gamble responsibly, as many are prone to compulsive gambling.
Today, Dietmar remains one of the biggest proponents against problem gambling, and never fails to encourage football fans to take necessary steps in order to prevent the problem. Who better to trust on the subject? After all, he does have first hand experience.