Former Chelsea FC forward Eidur Gudjohnsen has revealed that he lost about £6m ($7.5m) gambling during his career. He believes the recently announced ban on front-of-shirt gambling sponsorship in the UK Premier League is a step in the right direction.
would often spend £2,000 ($2,483) on just one online roulette spin
The former Icelandic player spoke over the weekend about his gambling habit, explaining that it was when he was out of action dealing with an injury that his gambling began. He said that during one five-month period, he lost £400,000 ($496,530) and he would often spend £2,000 ($2,483) on just one online roulette spin.
It didn’t take long for Gudjohnsen’s gambling to spin out of control. He said that athletes often look for other ways to get an adrenaline rush, which is when gambling and other vices like alcohol can enter the picture.
The 44-year-old believes that the front-of-shirt ban was long overdue. He talked about how influential a shirt sponsor can be due to the sheer number of people who see it. Gudjohnsen would like big clubs to promote worthier causes on their jerseys. The former forward cited UNICEF previously sponsoring FC Barcelona and the huge awareness that created for a good cause.
