Football and casino gaming have always gone hand in hand. There are a lot of transferable skills between the two that come in handy which is why we see so many footballers enjoying a poker game or roulette table.
But which footballers are the keenest casino gamers? And how do their skills on the pitch help them out at the casino tables? We’ve got the lowdown on who the top players are and why they love casinos so much.
Famous football players and casinos
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most recognisable football players in the world. This Portuguese football player has most recently moved to the Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr but will still play for Portugal in international tournaments.
But when he’s not playing on the pitch, you can often find him playing at a casino. He’s a big fan of all casino games but tends to favour slot games and the poker tables.
He’s got more than enough money to play with, but rumour has it that he doesn’t always have the best luck at a casino. Hopefully his luck changes and he manages to get a win.
- Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi, also known as Gigi, has always been a big fan of casino gaming. He has often been seen out and about at various casinos, enjoying a game or two with friends.
Gigi is also a big fan of sports gaming too, placing bets on anything from Formula 1 to basketball. His whole life has been about sports, from being a top goalkeeper in Italy through to placing bets on other sporting events.
- Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney might not be in the limelight quite as much as he used to be, but he’s still a big name in football. He’s played for top clubs and has played for the England team multiple times. Rooney even won England Player of the Year four times.
But he’s also a big player at the casino tables. He’s been known to frequent casinos up north and even has a chat to other players as they wait for their turn.
Rooney has played at all the top tournaments in the world so it’s no surprise that he enjoys the thrill of a casino game. He’s been known to lose a fair amount of money on the tables but always seems to have a good time whilst playing - and that’s the most important thing!
How being familiar with sports helps at a casino
- Good at predicting outcomes
Being able to read other people is a useful life skill to have in all fields. But this is particularly useful when you’re on the football field. You can guess someone’s next move and this means that you’re able to get the ball past them.
This skill can be applied to the casino table too. In games such as poker, this is a particularly useful ability to have. Bluffing is one of the main tactics to win in poker so being able to tell when someone is lying to you could win the game.
- Like to take risks
Life is all about taking risks and if you want to do well at a casino game, it’s something you have to get used to doing. The same goes for football - you need to take your shot whenever the opportunity arises.
It doesn’t always work out, but you have to be willing to take the risk and try anyway. This is another reason why footballers are well prepared for casino gaming. They are used to taking risks and seeing if it works out.
- Skilled at reading people
Another skill that is necessary on the pitch as well as at a gaming table is the ability to read others. Particularly in games such as poker, being able to guess what others are going to do next is a necessity.
The same skill can be used when playing football as you anticipate the team's next move. Footballers already have this skill under their belt, making them well prepared for the casino tables.
- Quick decision making
When you’re playing football, being able to think quickly is imperative. You need to be able to make snap decisions constantly throughout the game in order to play well. Sometimes, one decision makes the difference between winning or losing the game.
The same can be said for people who play casino games. You’re always having to make decisions quickly, and one hesitation can make the difference between a win or a loss.
This makes football players very skilled when they play at casinos - and perhaps why they enjoy it so much.
When it comes to casino gaming, footballers have always been huge fans. Their talent on the football field comes in handy when making quick decisions and they’re always up for taking a risk. Which footballer do you think has won the most at a casino game?
