When Charles Barkley said he’d rather gamble than “leave all that money for my free-loading family”
As a former NBA player and current television personality, Charles Barkley has amassed an impressive fortune, with an estimated net worth of $60 million.
Despite his ongoing success in the entertainment industry, Barkley has made it clear that he does not intend to pass on his wealth to his family. In a November 2021 interview with Golf.com, Barkley candidly stated his desire to spend every last penny before he passes away, expressing his belief that the money he has earned is his own to do with as he pleases.
Charles Barkley also made it clear that he is opposed to leaving a large inheritance for his family and children, mentioning his past experiences supporting them financially.
Barkley said:
“Listen, everybody knows I like to gamble. I wanna be dead broke when I keel over, Phil. I don’t want to leave all that money for my free-loading family. I’ve been taking care of them my whole life. I wanna be dead broke at my last breath.”
Some may view Barkley's desire to be "dead broke" as questionable, but it's also a reminder that many would make similar choices if they had the same level of wealth and success.
"Gambling's a 50-50 chance. You're either going to win or lose."
Charles Barkley isn't wrong 😆
https://t.co/HQM37rZWvz
Charles Barkley wants to "gamble his fortune away" before his death
The NBA legend has never made his gambling addiction a secret. The former Philadelphia 76ers player is a long-time golf buddy of Michael Jordan, and the two have regularly put money on their games in the past. Speaking in an interview, Barkley said about his gambling:
"I like the money actually, and it always sucks when you lose, but it’s a great feeling when you win."
Barkley has enjoyed some big wins as a gambler, including winning $1 million at least four or five times. However, Barkley's gambling habit got "out of hand," and he lost anywhere between $10 to $20 million in the 1980s. He has come a long way since:
"The thing that I conquered about my gambling was I changed my mentality. I’m not trying to win a lot, I’m just trying to win. You know, Graham, I’ve won a million dollars probably four, five times."
He went on to claim that a change in mentality allowed him to have fun while gambling:
“You can’t break the casino, and since I developed that mentality, gambling is a lot more fun to me, to be honest with you.”
"Gambling's a 50-50 chance. You're either going to win or lose."
Charles Barkley isn't wrong 😆
https://t.co/HQM37rZWvz
With an overall net worth estimated to be at least $60 million, Charles Barkley can certainly afford to fund his addiction.