Nicklas Bendtner Loses Millions Playing Live Poker

Former Arsenal footballer Nicklas Bendtner has told how he wasted millions of pounds playing live poker in London. The 32-year-old Danish international spent several years at the north London club before moving on in 2014.

Not an Addict

Bendtner claims to have been an avid poker fan since he was 19-years-old. During his stint at the Gunners he spent countless hours in high stakes games with football pros and poker pros.

“I’ve played a lot of poker in my life. I’ve been playing against a professional poker player since I was 19. It is difficult to put an amount on how much I have lost, but it is around 50 million Danish crowns – £6m.”

The revelations came to light in a reality TV show that Bendtner started with his girlfriend. He tells how things could have gotten out of hand but in the end everything was fine, and he certainly wasn’t a gambling addict.

Even with such sums being wagered at the table, it’s unlikely that a Premier League star was ever in danger of losing the lot. 

"I wouldn't say I've had a gambling problem at all. I've always been able to control it. However in the past I played in really big games. One night in London things got out of control, and they could have ended up really wrong.”

Footballers are famous for picking up gambling problems after many late night, booze-fueled cards sessions. Just ask Paul Merson.

For now though, Bendtner looks to be sticking to his word and only playing in casual games with his friends for a very modest buy-in of around £12/$15.