Nile Ranger, the former Premier League footballer turned musician, has been banned from all casinos in the UK after displaying a concerning gambling habit.
The 30-year-old, who last played professional football for Southend United in 2018, has reportedly been spending hours at various casinos across London, racking up significant losses in a short period of time.
A spokesperson for the Gambling Commission confirmed the ban, stating that they had been monitoring Ranger’s activities for some time before taking decisive action.
“We take the issue of problem gambling very seriously and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who display such reckless behavior,” the spokesperson said.
Ranger, who burst onto the scene as a promising young striker for Newcastle United before a series of off-field incidents derailed his career, has struggled to find his footing in the years since leaving professional football.
Despite attempts to reinvent himself as a musician, with several rap singles released under the alias “King Nile,” Ranger has continued to make headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Friends of the troubled star have expressed concern for his well-being, with one close associate revealing that Ranger’s gambling habit has spiraled out of control in recent months.
“He’s been gambling away all the money he made from his football career and then some. It’s like he’s addicted to the thrill of it all,” the source said.
Ranger himself has yet to publicly comment on the ban, but it is clear that he is facing a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
The news of his ban from casinos comes as a stark reminder of the dangers of gambling addiction, particularly for those who have fallen on hard times after leaving the limelight of professional sports.
It is hoped that Ranger will seek the help he needs to overcome his addiction and turn his life around before it’s too late.
