NBA

Charles Barkley opens up on deep depression due to gambling, estimates he’s lost around $25M

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Basketball analyst and former NBA superstar Charles Barkley has made a fortune in his career, and he recently revealed that he’s lost a fortune gambling as well.

Barkley recently joined Shannon Sharpe on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast and revealed that he lost an estimated $25 million on gambling. He also admitted that he would risk $25,000 on single hands of cards in Las Vegas casinos.

“There’s probably been seven times when I won a million dollars,” he said.

“But there’s probably been 25 times when I’ve lost a million.”

He went on to describe his mindset during those hot steaks and cold streaks, and he admitted that losing the money, and simply losing on its own, would leave him depressed.

“I got such a elation [when I won], but when I lost a million, I was so depressed,” he said. “Because of the money, but because of the losing.

“I’d be depressed for a week [thinking], ‘Damn, I lost a million dollars?'”

The issue got so extreme that he admitted he had to quit gambling for two years. He also acknowledged that he was not in control of his gambling, saying there were times that he couldn’t bring himself to simply stand up from the table and leave the casino.

“We’ll be sitting there, I’ll be up, and my friends would be like, ‘Chuck, let’s go for the night,'” he said.

“And in my head I’m saying, ‘Nah, we’re not leaving this motherf—– until I win a million dollars.'”

Luckily for Barkley, he has many lucrative media partnerships and it is very unlikely that he is short on cash. According to CelebrityNetWorth.com, Barkley earns a salary of $10 million and has a net worth of $60 million.

In 2022, it was reported that Barkley signed a deal with TNT that was reportedly worth upwards of $200 million.

While $25 million would surely be a massive fortune to most people, it looks like even that huge number is little more than a drop in the bucket for Barkley.

Still, many will likely appreciate Barkley’s honesty when it comes to his previous struggles with gambling.

The truth is that Barkley will likely have nothing to worry about from a financial standpoint as long as he wants to continue working as a basketball analyst on television. Over the years, he’s become one of the most beloved entertainers in the sports world.

Jonathan Sherman

Jonathan has worked as a sports writer covering NBA and NFL news since 2017. He's a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings.

Published by
Jonathan Sherman

Recent Posts

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

10 hours ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

1 day ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

4 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

5 days ago

LeBron James reflects on 2007 Cavs roster that he took to NBA Finals: ‘How is that possible?’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James recently reflected on the 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers and their…

6 days ago