Celebrity Gambler -One of the NBA’s greatest Charles Barkley’s love for gambling
By Sihle Qwabe
Charles Barkley is a basketball icon and one of the most legendary names in the history of the NBA. Called “Sir Charles” he was admired by fans for over 16 seasons for his versatility on the court. Those who know him speak of his kindness and generosity. He tips everyone and claims to gamble as a way to pay for the efforts of others.
Throughout his distinguished career, he played for three major teams. From 1984 to 1992 he played for the Philadelphia 76ers, moved on to the Phoenix Suns in 1996 (where he scored the highest achievement of his career), and in 1996 he turned to the Houston Rockets. Barkley stayed with them until 2000 when he retired.
Since then, his love for the basketball court has shifted to a love for gambling, particularly with online casinos and betting on games, which he views as his moral responsibility. Barkley believes that athletes train tirelessly and often push their physical limits in their quest to perform at their best. Placing bets, whether in Las Vegas or online casinos, is a way to ensure their hard work is recognized. When losing at gambling, Barkley stays positive and calm, thanks to his financial stability, openly acknowledging that his wealth allows him to approach losses with composure.
Barkley has never been coy about his love for gambling. In an interview with podcaster Shannon Sharpe, Barkley mentioned that he used to frequent Las Vegas and would only play at high-stakes tables. He said sometimes he would bet as much as $ 25,000 per hand.
Charles Barkley statistics
| Nickname | Sir Charles |
| Real Name | Charles Wade Barkley |
| Born | USA (Alabama) |
| Birthday | 20 February 1963 |
| Citizenship | African-American |
| Spouse | Maureen Blumhardt |
| Children | One daughter (Christina Barkley) |
| Career | Basketball Player |
| Net worth | $70 Million |
| Claim to Fame | MVP Player of 1993 |
| Leisure Activities | Gambling |
| Biggest Casino Win | $5 Million |
Charles Barkley Achievements
Charles Barkley’s NBA career is marked by countless achievements. He was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1993, was selected as an NBA All-Star 11 times (from 1987 to 1997), and was the MVP in 1991.
He was also named to the All-NBA First Team five times from 1988 to 1991, and again in 1993. Subsequently, he also made it onto the All-NBA Second Team five times, and once in the third team in 1996.
His talent was recognized early. He played for the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1985 and was the lead as a rebounder in 1987.
His number 34 jersey has since been retired by all the teams he has played for.
In college, he was the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 and received several other honours, which included being a third-team All-American, a First-Team All-SEC, and SEC Tournament MVP.
In terms of career NBA statistics, he scored 23,757 points, averaging 22.1 points per game. He also grabbed 12,546 rebounds with an average of 11.7 rebounds per game, and recorded 4,215 assists, averaging 3.9 assists per game.
He has also given back to the community. In 2023, he made the first of 10 promised donations to a New Orleans school where two of its students made mathematical history. St Mary’s Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school in the eastern part of the city, received Barkley’s $100,000 gift.
Charles Barkley as an influencer
During a call promoting the American Century Championship, Barkley said in a speech that sports betting had been growing exponentially. He was worried that this could invite shady dealings into sports, and ultimately, coerce players into cheating.
Barkley’s approach to gambling remains fascinating and bold. He cares about sports as much as he cares about winning. After all, he loves the prospect of earning money. While he admits that losing can be a tough pill to swallow, he views it as a necessary part of chasing a victory. The same grit that made him so successful on the basketball court also fuels his passion for gambling. Plus, he’s had some big wins. He claims he has won $1 million at least five times.
However, he also acknowledges that his gambling habit once spiralled out of control. He estimates losing between $10 million and $20 million in the 80s, which pushed him to step back from gambling for two years.
Through these experiences, he’s learned that sometimes it’s better to quit while you’re ahead. He now treats gambling more as a pastime, which helps him embrace a healthier attitude that he carries with him today. That approach has been his inspiration for rather moving towards games of chance.
Closing Thoughts: Beyond the Basketball pro
Gambling should always be an enjoyable experience, and Charles Barkley exemplifies how to strike that balance. He understands the importance of not letting gaming affect your mental or financial health. His financial status certainly plays a role in the attitude he has adopted, he owns up fully to it – but his signature grace is still commendable. His journey reminds us that while gambling can be exciting, it’s important to approach it with a level head.
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