Wayne's Gambling Habit

I'm from Southern California. I grew up with surfing and skateboarding. The best looking and coolest guys, in my opinion as a teenager, were either surfers or skateboarders. Soccer, or British football, was something I liked to play, but didn’t have the patience to watch. It takes hours just for one goal to happen in that game and I have never seen the point, especially when the cameras are too far away to get a good view of these hot men in shorts. With obviously no expert knowledge in sports I don't make any sports bets. I didn't even know who Wayne Rooney was until I read about his gambling habit.

Apparently Wayne Rooney is a player on Manchester United who has gotten himself into a bit of debt from gambling. According to the rumors Rooney owes 700,000 pounds to a bookmaker, and he only makes 50,000 pounds a week (260,000 pounds a year). This means if he's really good with his money, lives cheaply, and keeps making that sort of salary it will take him at least three years to pay back his debt. Fortunately he's only 20, so he's got plenty of time and at least he's learned his lesson young. Or has he?

This story sparked my attention for a few reasons. The first reason was that I didn't see why his gambling problem is anyone's business. Yet the Football Association is investigating the claim. Assuming he's not betting on football why would they care what he's betting on? The Director of Communications for the Football Association, Adam Bevington, has stated: "We are unaware of any problems in the England team dressing room due to issues surrounding gambling or anything else come to that. Under Sven, the England team has enjoyed a fantastic spirit within the camp, a point that is regularly made by the players publicly. It's important the fans know that everyone connected to the FA and the England team is determined to do all they can to achieve success in Germany."

Finally Bevington gets to the point of the issue: "There is little the FA can do to prevent any individuals gambling privately on horse or greyhound racing though there are rules preventing betting on any football matches or competitions they are involved in." Ok, well at least that much makes sense. Could someone explain to me why Sven Goran Eriksson, the coach for Manchester United, is reported to be talking to the 20 year old about this whole issue? Why is this his business, besides the need for the two players to get along on the field?

Another reason why my interest was piqued by the news was a comment made in an article where Rooney claims to be upset with his teammate Michael Owen. Owen had introduced Rooney to bookmaker Steve Smith, who is a business associate of his (Owen's). Someone close to Rooney has been reported to have said "Michael Owen should be someone who puts his arm around Wayne's shoulder. Wayne is pretty pissed off with Michael for introducing him to these people." It seems that Rooney hasn't learned a thing about personal responsibility.

It all started from Owen teaching his teammates about gambling and took their bets. When he decided he wasn't interested in taking the teams wagers any longer he recruited Smith. Then the money being wagered got bigger, and Smith decided to set up a private bookmaker (recently licensed). Prior to being licensed Smith was a betting agent for the players. Now Rooney is claiming that Smith ran an illegal operation.

Smith argued with Rooney's claim, stating "I have never operated as an unlicensed bookmaker. I got my own license on Thursday last week. Up until then I was authorized to receive bets as any agent to a bookmaker who has a permit. It is all completely legal." This sounds to me like Rooney is being a bad sport and trying to point the blame for his debt on everyone except himself. Especially since none of the other members of his team (John Terry, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand) have had an issue with Smith.

Rooney is young, and he's a sports celebrity. This means he's probably pampered and spoiled. Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United boss, doesn't seem to care about Rooney's lack of acceptance of blame "It is just nonsense but these things will happen to the boy throughout his life. We have had this with George Best, we had it with Paul Gascoigne and we had it with David Beckham. It is rubbish and we shall dismiss it the best we can." Personally I would have liked to read a comment more along the lines of, well he's learned his lesson, rather than boys will be boys.

Wayne Rooney made a mistake, a big expensive mistake. He went too far with gambling, and rather than face his mistake and own up to it he’s whining that it’s everyone else’s fault. Neither Owen nor Smith put a gun to his head and said he must bet. By taking the risk of a wager he’s accepting the risk of losing his money. I can guarantee you that had he won 700,000 pounds he wouldn’t be blaming anyone. The biggest tragedy is without Rooney accepting responsibility for his actions he won’t realize that he has a gambling problem and he won’t get help.

Gambling means taking a risk, a risk that can pay off huge, or leave you with nothing, you don’t go over your budget with something like that. Instead the amount you gamble with should be your entertainment money. If you find you are wagering amounts equal to what you earn a year then take it from me that it’s time to stop. Good money management is essential to all gamblers, if not all people whether they gamble or not. Knowing how much you have to spend, and not going over that amount is the only way to keep yourself out of debt – regardless of whether you are spending your money on wagers or clothes.

Posted on: April 18, 2006

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