Reports of substantial poker losses at a London casino have reignited concerns around former England international Dele Alli, whose attempts to revive his football career continue to be overshadowed by setbacks on and off the pitch.
According to a Daily Mail report, the 29-year-old midfielder has dropped close to £150,000 over several late-night visits to London’s Victoria Casino in recent days. Sources claim Alli has been arriving in the early hours of the morning, heading directly to the high-stakes poker tables, and losing roughly £25,000 per session.
One insider suggested that professional players at the casino have begun alerting each other whenever Alli appears, allegedly joking that “the Dele is open for business.”
While Alli’s estimated net worth, believed to be between £15 million and £20 million, means he can absorb the losses financially, those close to the situation say the behaviour has heightened anxiety about his overall well-being. The former Tottenham Hotspur star has endured a prolonged period of personal struggles, injuries, and stalled career momentum.
ALLI is currently without a club after being released by Italian side Como last summer. His stint there was brief and forgettable: a single Serie A appearance against Parma in May 2025, where he came on as a substitute and was sent off within 10 minutes.
“It’s actually quite sad because he never really speaks to anyone and doesn’t appear to be that happy,” one player allegedly told The Mail.
Once regarded as one of England’s brightest prospects, Alli earned 37 caps for the national team between the ages of 19 and 23. However, he has not represented England for more than five years. After peaking early, his career steadily unravelled due to injuries and mounting off-field issues.
IN 2023, Alli publicly opened up about his deeply traumatic childhood during an interview with Gary Neville. He revealed growing up with an alcoholic single mother, being sexually abused by a family friend, and spending time in foster care. He also described early exposure to crime, drug dealing, and violence.
Alli later acknowledged that his football decline coincided with an addiction to sleeping pills, which eventually led him to seek treatment in rehab as he attempted to confront unresolved trauma.
Despite everything, those close to the former England midfielder say he remains determined to salvage his playing career before time runs out. Whether his nights at Victoria Casino represent harmless distraction or another obstacle in his recovery remains an open question, but for many observers, the situation is hard to watch.
Sources
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