Charles Barkley Reveals Secret Bookmaker for Gambling Bets

TAMPA, Fla. — Charles Barkley, the NBA Hall of Famer and current sports analyst, disclosed on May 23, 2025, that he relies on a bookmaker to circumvent betting limits imposed by online gambling sites. At 62 years old, Barkley remains a captivating figure in sports.

During a recent appearance on the ‘Altcast’ live stream for the NHL conference finals, Barkley candidly discussed his gambling habits. He revealed, “FanDuel only lets me bet so much so I gotta have a bookie on the side.” His admission highlights the extent of his betting activities.

Barkley, who signed a lucrative 10-year deal with TNT worth approximately $21 million per year, has been open about his passion for gambling, claiming to have incurred losses around $25 million over the years. He reminisced about playing high-stakes games in Las Vegas, where he would wager $25,000 a hand with hopes of winning $1 million in a single night.

On the stream, Barkley shared that he has experienced wins exceeding $1 million multiple times, but his losses have been significant as well. “There’s probably been seven times that I won a million dollars,” he admitted. “But there’s probably been 25 times I’ve lost a million.”

Despite the risks, Barkley finds the excitement of gambling exhilarating. However, he did acknowledge past issues with his gambling habits, stating, “I had to change my mentality because you can never break the casino, they can break your a**.”

His comments come amid growing discussions around gambling responsibility. FanDuel has implemented various tools aimed at promoting responsible gambling practices, including AI monitoring and real-time check-ins for users.

Last June, Barkley admitted to a debt of $400,000 from gambling losses, which he vowed to repay after facing threats of legal action. The legendary player continues to be a controversial yet intriguing figure in the sports world.