Football and Gambling – Is This Relationship Really That Dangerous?

When the Head Can’t Keep Up with the Feet. Famous Footballers Who Fell into Gambling

The suspension of Sandro Tonali marked a major escalation in football’s confrontation with gambling-related misconduct. The Italian midfielder, now at Newcastle United, was banned for ten months by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) after admitting to placing bets — including on matches involving his own club, AC Milan. FIFA extended the ban worldwide, ruling him out of competitive play until August 2024.

Tonali’s case wasn’t treated as a simple rules violation. He was formally diagnosed with a gambling addiction and was required to undergo a structured programme of therapy and education. Supervised by the Italian authorities and mental health professionals, the programme included outreach sessions aimed at warning young players about the risks of gambling.

But the story didn’t end there. In early 2025, Tonali became the subject of a fresh investigation in Italy. Prosecutors allege he promoted and benefited from access to illegal betting platforms, with reports suggesting he may have recruited others to join. While no formal charges have been filed, the investigation remains ongoing.

Shortly before Tonali’s case first broke, Ivan Toney, striker for Brentford, was handed an eight-month ban after being found guilty of 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules. Toney, too, was diagnosed with a gambling addiction, and the FA’s decision to reduce his suspension was seen as a sign of changing attitudes — from strict punishment to rehabilitative support.

Another headline case is that of Lucas Paquetá, the Brazilian international playing for West Ham United. As of April 2025, he faces four charges of spot-fixing and two of obstructing an FA investigation. The accusations centre on suspicious yellow cards received in Premier League matches, allegedly timed to benefit bets placed by associates in Brazil. Paquetá denies wrongdoing and continues to play while the hearing — adjourned in March due to its complexity — is set to resume in the summer.

Meanwhile, Nicolò Fagioli, a young Juventus midfielder, received a seven-month ban after admitting to placing bets, including via illegal platforms. As part of his disciplinary agreement, Fagioli completed a structured therapy programme focused on gambling addiction. Since returning to action in 2024, he has remained vocal about his recovery journey and now takes part in awareness initiatives aimed at educating younger players about the dangers of gambling.

Other notable examples include:

• Joey Barton, former England international and Premier League midfielder, who was banned for 18 months in 2017 after admitting to placing over 1,200 bets on football matches. Barton later revealed he had struggled with gambling addiction for much of his career.

• Daniel Sturridge, former Liverpool and England striker, suspended in 2019 for breaching betting rules related to inside information. He had reportedly tipped off family members about a potential transfer, which they allegedly used to place bets.

• Kieran Trippier, currently at Newcastle United, who received a 10-week ban in 2020 after being found guilty of providing inside information to friends regarding his transfer from Tottenham to Atlético Madrid. Though he didn’t place bets himself, the case highlighted how indirect involvement can still constitute a breach of integrity rules.

Should Players Be Allowed to Bet at All?

Under current regulations, professional footballers are strictly prohibited from placing bets on any football-related event, regardless of country or league. This rule applies not only to players but also to coaches, match officials and club staff. The principle behind it is straightforward: to protect the integrity of the sport and prevent any perception of manipulation.

However, a broader debate has emerged around whether players should be banned from all forms of betting, including wagers on unrelated sports. Some argue that a total ban goes too far, especially in the absence of match-fixing. Others counter that the combination of wealth, insider knowledge and pressure creates too many risks — even outside football.

There’s also growing concern about the mixed messaging within the sport. While players are penalised for placing private bets, many clubs continue to profit from commercial partnerships with gambling firms. Logos of betting operators appear on shirts, in stadiums and across digital platforms. As highlighted in a recent Gambling Insider analysis, this duality has led to accusations of hypocrisy: players are sanctioned, while clubs cash in.

Ethical Dilemmas and the Role of Sponsorship

Beyond regulation, there’s an ethical question that football has yet to properly address. Former England captain Tony Adams, founder of the Sporting Chance charity, has described gambling as the biggest mental health threat facing today’s footballers. According to Adams, the mix of high income, pressure, and social isolation makes young athletes especially vulnerable.

The use of footballers in gambling advertisements has come under particular scrutiny. While many jurisdictions prohibit active players from fronting betting campaigns, enforcement remains inconsistent. Club-level sponsorships often blur the line, and for young fans especially, the message is far from clear.

With governments and regulators — including in the UK — moving to restrict front-of-shirt sponsorships from gambling brands, the commercial side of this relationship may soon face more pressure than ever before.

Sanctions Alone Won’t Fix This

In response to recent scandals, football’s governing bodies have started shifting from a punitive approach to a more preventive one. The FA, Premier League and national associations such as the FIGC have introduced education and support initiatives — including confidential counselling, awareness workshops and guidance programmes designed to help players understand the risks.

A particularly effective component has been the inclusion of “lived experience” sessions, where former professionals share personal stories of addiction. As Michelle Evans noted in SBC News, these talks resonate far more than traditional compliance briefings — they show what’s really at stake.

Some clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton, have taken further steps by integrating early safeguarding policies into their academies and senior squads. While the reach of such efforts varies, the trend is clear: the conversation is finally shifting from punishment to prevention.

The Real Risk Starts When No One Notices

The recent spike in betting-related cases isn’t just a warning sign for players — it’s a test for the structures around them. Rules are in place, but clearly not enough. When top-level professionals fall into the same trap, it points to deeper issues: gaps in education, lack of early support, and a culture that still makes it hard to ask for help.

This isn’t about banning sponsorships or blaming the industry — gambling is a legal part of the game’s economy. But if football wants to protect both its integrity and its players, it needs to treat this issue with the same seriousness as doping or match-fixing. That means clearer guidance, better resources and a more open conversation at every level of the sport.

Because the real risk isn’t that players are placing bets — it’s that the system often doesn’t notice until it’s too late.