Adams warns of football's gambling culture

Former England and Arsenal skipper Tony Adams has warned Premiership players have turned to gambling for their thrills because clubs have stamped down on drink and drugs.

Adams, a recovering alcoholic who was once jailed for drink-driving, claims big-money betting is now rife among top stars.

"It is something about which the clubs need to be aware," Adams told the Sun newspaper Thursday.

"Because of the number of tests that are available these days, it would be difficult for any player to drink to excess or take drugs.

"It would be seen and detected straight away. But those with addictive personalities are turning to gambling to get their buzz."

The 36-year-old, who now runs a charity called Sporting Chance to help sportsmen with addiction problems, says gambling is having a serious effect on the form of some players.

"More and more players are buying horses and with that comes gambling," Adams said.

"It is hard to detect because there are no obvious signs like there are with drinking or taking drugs. Players can do it not just at the casino or at a race track but also through the internet.

"It can be just as dangerous as any other addiction."

Chelsea's Iceland international striker Eidur Gudjohnsen admitted last week he lost 400,000 pounds (643,000 dollars) in five months at a casino.

"I have seen for myself just how dangerous this gambling thing can be. I will definitely not put another foot in the casino," Gudjohnsen said.

"I can easily see how young people can get sucked into gambling and I am happy to stand up as a warning to others not to get hooked."

And former Republic of Ireland striker Tony Cascarino claimed earlier this week that England players gambled thousands of pounds in a card school during last year's World Cup.

Cascarino said one England player wrote out a cheque for 30,000 pounds on the plane home after running up gambling debts during the tournament.

Members of former England manager Kevin Keegan's squads were reported to have splashed out 15,000 pounds a hand in poker games during the 2000 European Championship but Sven Goran Eriksson promised a new era when he took over in November 2000.

Dutch star Ruud van Nistelrooy Van Nistelrooy also revealed that Manchester United's players regularly play cards for money when travelling to away games.

"The players spend a lot of time travelling. Oh, and maybe I shouldn't say this, but a lot of them play cards," van Nistelrooy said.

"Yes, they play for money. I can see them writing stuff down all the time when they are playing.

"They play on the train when we go to London, in hotels or on the plane and the manager is fine as long as he is winning."

A United spokesman said only small amounts of money were involved.

"Our players do play cards for fun to pass the time and the amounts of money involved are small. It's really just for fun and to pass the time as they are travelling," he said.