Dele Alli and the Poker Dilemma: Choice, Consequence and Cash

_{Former Premier League players like Dele Alli and Keith Gillespie have faced public scrutiny for heavy gambling losses. (Image: Simon Dack, Telephoto Images/Alamy)}

In early February, reports emerged that former England international Dele Alli had lost nearly £150,000 in late-night poker sessions at The Victoria Casino in London.

Described by fellow players as a "whale”, a high roller prone to losing large sums, Alli is said to have been turning up every other night, losing up to £25,000 per session.

While the losses raised concerns about the footballer's well-being, they also reignited a wider conversation: Should athletes be judged for how they spend their wealth? Or does the freedom to gamble, win or lose, fall under the right to individual choice?

Athletes, Earnings, and the Right to Risk

Professional athletes often reach wealth early in life, with limited financial education or long-term planning support. But critics say scrutiny intensifies when players are seen spending money in ways society deems reckless.

The UK has a long history of sports stars spending freely. From flashy cars to lavish parties, gambling has been part of that culture. Unlike doping or match-fixing, placing a private bet or sitting at a poker table is legal and, in most cases, conducted within licensed venues.

Before the Campaigns: When Support Was Scarce

Several former athletes, including footballers Nile Ranger, Keith Gillespie, Stan Bowles, and Tony Kelly, developed gambling issues long before public awareness and support systems matured.

_{QPR and England legend Stan Bowles gambled at a time when support networks were non existent. (Image: Trinity Mirror, Mirrorpix/Alamy)}

Gillespie, once a rising star at Manchester United and capped 86 times by Northern Ireland, estimated losing over £7 million. He later declared bankruptcy and became an advocate for education and harm prevention.

Kelly, who played for Stoke City and other clubs in the 1990s, spoke candidly in his memoir about losing over £300,000 over nine years. At the time, he said, gambling help was "non-existent" and his struggles went unnoticed by clubs and agents. Even today, some question whether enough is done to distinguish between recreational gambling and problematic behaviour.

"It's actually quite sad because he never really speaks to anyone and doesn't appear to be that happy," a poker player told the Daily Mail, referring to Alli. 

"He doesn't seem that bothered about losing so much, which is great for us."

But such anecdotes often blur the line between concern and voyeurism.

Personal Responsibility vs Institutional Oversight

The UK gambling industry has evolved significantly in the past decade. The rise of responsible gambling campaigns, safer gambling tools, and charities like GamCare have created a network of support that many past players never had access to. Still, critics say the stigma around gambling losses persists, especially when the subject is a young, wealthy athlete.

Jimmy White, the snooker legend who estimates he lost nearly £2 million through gambling, told BBC Sport that the culture of high-risk betting was once deeply embedded and rarely questioned. "We just didn’t talk about it," he said.

In contrast, current players like Alli have access to rehab, therapy, and education. In 2023, he spoke openly about his mental health and addiction to sleeping tablets, and admitted that childhood trauma had shaped many of his choices.

"My childhood is something I haven't really spoken about that much," he said in an interview with Gary Neville. 

He described being molested at age six, starting smoking at seven, and dealing drugs by eight.

His candour sparked praise for helping de-stigmatise mental health struggles among athletes. But when gambling losses became public, the tone around his name shifted again.

The Bigger Picture: Culture, Cash and Control

For many elite players, gambling isn't just a vice, it's a cultural fixture. Dressing room card games, casino nights during the off-season, and sponsorship deals from betting firms have all helped normalise it.

The debate, then, isn't whether gambling is risky. It's whether public figures deserve the same latitude to enjoy it,  and sometimes lose, without becoming cautionary tales.

As one fan wrote in a forum thread: 

"If Dele spends £25,000 playing poker, is that really worse than someone spending £200 they can't afford on slots? He's rich. It's his call."

While efforts to promote safer gambling continue, the conversation around autonomy remains complex. The line between freedom and protection isn't always clearly drawn, especially when fame and fortune are involved.