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Charles Barkley Troubled by Gambling Addiction Problem
LAS VEGAS --
Former Auburn collegiate basketball star, then NBA star and current TNT NBA analyst, Charles Barkley, lost another $450,000 gambling in Las Vegas, according to national media reports.
Barkley, who revealed to the public his struggles with gambling and alcohol in an interview with ESPN back in 2006, claims to have lost between $50 million and $60 million in the past 12 years due to gambling. It is believed most of the money was lost in Las Vegas strip casinos.
Today, Wynn Resorts has asked Barkley to pay over $400,000 in past gambling debts to the company, or face the possibility of felony prosecution.
Those who know Barkley, or those who have seen him in the casinos playing high-stakes poker and other table games know he is a very serious card player.
"Two-years ago we saw Barkley at a charity poker tournament playing Texas hold'em. He was drinking scotch on the rocks and was very intense", said Beverly Mahone, a frequent visitor of the Las Vegas area who also owns a condo off the strip.
In a past interview with ESPN, Barkley was quoted as saying, "My agent has really worked with me to try to get it where I can go and gamble and have fun, then leave," he said. "That's easier said than done, however."
Mr. Barkley went on to say in the interview, "Do I have a gambling problem? Yes, I do have a gambling addiction, but I don't consider it an issue because I can afford the money. It's just a stupid habit that I've got to get under control, because it's just not a good thing to be in debt and almost broke after all of these years as a celebrity".
Charles Barkley is most famous for his efforts as a Philadelphia 76er in the National Basketball Association between 1984 and 1992. He also played for the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. He was the #5 pick overall in the 1984 NBA basketball draft.
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