Years Before Phil Mickelson?s $1 Billion Shocker, Friend Charles Barkley Related to the Lefty After Sharing a Similar Pain

Charles Barkley, the Philadelphia 76ers legend and Olympic gold medalist, was known for his dominant playing style on the hard court. But very few know about his gambling habit. Sir Chuck, along with Michael Jordan in the NBA, was a big gambler.?

Similarly, his golf friend and legend, Phil Mickelson, was also into gambling. Reflecting on a billion-dollar shocker, Barkley once related the left-handed golfers’ struggle.

High-stakes partnership: Mickelson’s billion-dollar gambling ventures

Billy Walters, a renowned gambler, plans to publish a book about Phil Mickelson’s ventures in the world of gambling. The friendship between Phil and Walters began way back in 2006 and developed a gambling partnership. According to Walters, Mickelson gambled a billion dollars for three decades on a variety of sporting events and lost over $100 million.

Under this partnership, Mickelson allegedly gambled with foreign bookies and split the winnings by two. According to the books, the LIV golfer averaged nine bets a day. Walters also revealed that ‘Lefty’ used to gamble on loss-making wagers, and he gambled for a total of 3,154 bets.

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Mickelson, on his addiction, said,??I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. I have previously conveyed my remorse, took responsibility, have gotten help, have been fully committed to therapy that has positively impacted me and I feel good about where I am now.?

Charles Barkley’s gambling: A parallel to Phil Mickelson

Like his golfer friend, Hall of Famer Charles Barkley is also an avid gambler. Just like Mickelson, Chuck had to fight off a gambling addiction. Barkley?s experience in gambling is an example of how appealing and, at the same time, could be dangerous. In a podcast with Graham Bensinger, Chuck revealed that money and the rush of victory were additional motivations for his gambling.?

?I hear all these people talk about ?You just like the action.? No, I like the money, actually, and it always sucks when you lose, but it?s a great feeling when you win,??he said.?

The NBA veteran also confessed that his competitive nature caused him to lose a substantial sum of money. After much probing on the show, Chuck said he had lost between $10 and $20 million. Once Barkley understood the need to be careful, he avoided gambling for two years and came to his senses. As of now, he has found the right balance between profit and risk.?

These illustrious athletes’ backstories illustrate the hazardous dynamics of the money game. It’s a good precedent for us to follow.

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