CHRIS Sandow has staged one of the season’s most inspiring fightbacks - and on Sunday the Parramatta halfback bravely opened up for the first time about his gambling addiction.
Admitting gambling was “a big part of NRL culture”, the 25-year-old spoke to Fox Sports’ Matty Johns on Triple M about his problems and how the unwavering support of his mother.
After rising to stardom at South Sydney, the former NRL rookie of the year went to Parramatta on a reported $550,000 a season.
But he admitted he struggled to adjust to NRL life after growing up in the tiny Queensland town of Cherbourg. Sandow said he wasn’t even sure how much money he has wasted.
Asked what type of gambling he was hooked on, Sandow said: “Everything, mate. I just pretty much lost myself.
“It’s a big part of NRL culture, gambling.
Asked how bad his problems got, Sandow told Triple M: “Pretty bad. I was going to training thinking about gambling.
That is when I thought I did have a problem.
“That is why I had to talk to someone about it and that is when I went to rehab (last year). It was really good going there, it opened my eyes.” Read More
Gambling Addiction
Gambling Addiction will be addressed at the Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference to be held at the Gold Coast Outrigger Surfers Paradise, 5th – 6th March 2015
ADDICTION 2015 - The Australian & New Zealand Addiction Conference
URL: www.addictionaustralia.org.au
