English cricketer Chris Wood, who plays for his county Hampshire, opened up on his gambling addiction for the first time in April.
The right handed bowler, in an interview with Sky Sports news, stated that he was governed by fear before revealing his addiction for the first time.
England is observing Safer Gambling Week this November and the 30 year old star encouraged other players and professionals to address their gambling addiction and reach out for help.
Wood, who has won four white-ball trophies after he made his debut in the year 2010 said: “For so long I was completely governed by fear and a lot of that fear was around my professional job title. I always thought that I’d be judged and wondered if Hampshire would not see past my addiction and want to get rid of me”, reported Sky Sports News.
He further added, “I think gambling, and not just because I went through it, is the fastest-growing addiction there is and the most destroying. You can lose everything and everything around you in the space of 10 minutes if you really wanted to, it’s that destructive. I’m almost adamant it’s rife in sport.”