At first glance, gambling and playing rugby have nothing in common, but on a closer look, you’ll realise that both have a few similarities. For one, they require an active mind and strategy to increase winning chances. Plus, betting on and winning both in sports and casino gaming is as thrilling as winning a try or the entire match in rugby.
So, it’s unsurprising that rugby players and other sports enthusiasts enjoy gambling. Rugby players like Sebastien Chabal, Shane Williams, and David Susigan are on the list. Charles Barkley, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, and even Cristiano Ronaldo are just a few other sportspeople who enjoy gambling. Plus, gambling has contributed to rugby’s popularity as many bettors now punt on the sport’s events.
However, gambling is a game of chance, and losing is always risky. Unfortunately, some rugby players have recorded huge losses, significant enough to be talked about. These rugby players are the focus of this article.
Why do so many professional athletes gamble?
Athletes go into a game with a set determination to win, and an adrenaline rush comes with that victory. That feeling of pure ecstasy is one of the reasons why athletes turn to gamble. When they place a bet on a sporting event, they do so in the hope of winning. The feeling is akin to winning a rugby match if their bets are successful. Unfortunately, this could lead to gambling addiction.
According to a study by PubMed, 56.6% of professional athletes are exposed to problem gambling, considering the factors they are surrounded by. A person who gambles solely because it’s entertaining will likely stop when they experience a loss. The competitive athlete, however, may choose to use a different tactic and make specific alterations to their gambling routine to trigger a win. Since these athletes are hardwired to win, they convince themselves that continuous betting will eventually lead to success. The fact that they usually have enough money to spend gives them even more confidence to bet continuously and chase their losses.
A few rugby players have turned to gamble. While they have made decent wins, these players have also lost. Below are some of these professional athletes:
Michael Lynagh
Michael Lynagh is a fantastic athlete who earned a reputation for exceptional footwork and game-controlling prowess. The athlete’s other passion besides rugby is gambling, and he is pretty good at it.
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David Susigan
The former member of the French team Castanet, Susigan is a professional rugby player. He wasn’t the team’s top player, but he succeeded in building a reputation for himself in the gambling industry.
Following his retirement from the sport he cherished so dearly, David Susigan became a professional poker player, regularly participating in tournaments and cash games worldwide. One of his remarkable wins was in 2015 when he won the FPS High Roller and walked away with $140,000. He has earned much from his new-found profession, but the rugby athlete doesn’t always win the pot.
Sebastien Chabal
Due to his aggressive tackling, unshaven appearance, and dominating bulk, Sebastien Chabal has earned the nickname “The Caveman.” He is widely recognised as a formidable force on the rugby pitch. The Frenchman, however, is not content to remain in his rugby-centric “cave” and has instead moved out onto the poker tables in search of additional success.
His love of poker has taken him worldwide to compete in tournaments and even landed him a starring role in an advertisement for the well-known PokerStars. He brought the same dominating rugby play approach to poker. The rugby legend and poker fan has shown great promise in the game but has yet to win a significant tournament.
Andy Powell
A former rugby player for Wales and the Lions, Powell admitted that his gambling addiction had caused him to lose everything. Back then, he enjoyed betting on horse races, and he would frequently gamble away his wages and have to get advances from his club to cover his losses.
Powell made these confessions regarding his gambling habit while a guest on The Big Jim Show podcast. He admitted that players now have better access to support for problem gambling than they did back when he was struggling with his habit. Thankfully, the 41-year-old noted that he is doing better thanks to the assistance he has been receiving.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams is a former Welsh winger regarded as one of the world’s greatest rugby union players. In fact, he ranks fourth in the all-time list of international rugby try scorers. Williams was at the poker table when he wasn’t on the pitch, particularly those of Texas Hold’em.
His interest in card games is said to have developed during his time with the professional rugby team, Neath. He and his teammates, Brett Sinkinson, Duncan James, and James Storey, would play the game on long coach travels. He reportedly participated in the Grand Prix Poker Tour in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, offering the winner a £30,000 prize. Sadly, he was removed from the game after just 75 minutes.
Chris Ashton
Ashton is a former English rugby player who plays for the Leicester Tigers. His try-scoring ability has made him a household name for rugby enthusiasts. Chris Ashton enjoys gambling, like many other professional athletes. In his spare time, he frequents brick-and-mortar casinos to partake in his favourite pastime activity and also enjoys betting on Formula 1. He hasn’t commented about losing a large chunk, but you can’t always win when gambling.
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