Charles Barkley reveals potential $25M gambling losses / News - Basketnews.com

Charles Barkley disclosed his highs and lows in gambling, acknowledging potential losses of up to $25 million and the emotional toll it took on him, from elation in million-dollar wins to deep depressions following significant losses.

Credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images/AFP - Scanpix Credit Scott Halleran/Getty Images/AFP - Scanpix

NBA legend Charles Barkley recently opened up about his gambling experiences, disclosing potential losses of up to $25 million, which left him feeling "depressed" at times.

Charles Barkley

Position:SFAge:61Height:198 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Despite his lucrative career, which saw him earn over $40 million in the NBA and become a staple as an analyst on TNT's 'Inside the NBA' since 2000, Barkley admitted to some high-stakes betting habits during an interview on Shannon Sharpe's 'Club Shay Shay' podcast.

"There've probably been seven times when I won a million dollars," Barkley admitted. But there've probably been 25 times when I've lost a million."

Even when he won hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single night, it wasn't enough for him. Barkley revealed that he had a peculiar rule: he needed to win a million dollars to leave the casino, despite pleas from friends to stop.

"I got such an elation [when I won], but when I lost a million, I was so depressed," he noted. "Not because of the money, but because of the losing. I'd be depressed for a week [thinking], 'Damn, I lost a million dollars?' I was getting out of hand. No matter how good it feels winning, when you lose, it just f*****g sucks."

His habits led Barkley to quit gambling altogether for a period of two years.

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