More news on Sully:
Gambling 'cost me $100K'
By Dean Ritchie
June 20, 2005
CRONULLA's troubled hooker Michael Sullivan yesterday admitted that an addictive gambling habit cost him more than $100,000.
Sullivan's plight comes as NRL chief executive David Gallop urged any players with similar betting issues to immediately seek counselling.
And Sharks coach Stuart Raper last night revealed his club had helped Sullivan - who primarily punts on the races - to pay off some debts.
Sullivan, highly impressive in his side's win over the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, might quit the Sharks mid-contract and join cashed-up Warrington to ease his financial concerns.
"At times I would bet seven days a week," Sullivan told Channel 9. "It was affecting my football.
"But I don't want sympathy from anyone. That's not what I'm looking for.
"I lost everything and a little bit more."
Asked how much he had punted and lost, Sullivan - who described himself as a "desperado" - said: "It's well over six figures.
"I have the potential to earn a lot money but have very little to show for it.
"I'm sure I'll come through it."
Sullivan described himself as "weak" at times and reiterated that his lowest point arrived after borrowing and losing money from his own family.
"My family is helping me out," he said.
"I'm in a spot of bother and it's now common knowledge I have a few problems and they help me out as they do.
"But it comes to a point where you can't keep relying on your family to bail you out of problems.
"The best thing is for people not to borrow money.
"You never chase or borrow money. That way the money you lose is your own. You don't get in debt. It didn't help my relationships. I had on and off relationships."
Sullivan said he was hoping a deal with Warrington could be struck.
He said he was interested in going to England to "further my career and atone for some of the mistakes I have made financially".
Sullivan told yesterday how gambling virtually took control of his life.
"I grew up in a country town [Wingham] and my brother didn't mind a gamble," he said.
"It filtered through.
"I moved out of home at a young age and the first time it became a problem was when I was a professional rugby league player with the [Northern] Eagles for the first time.
"I would get home [from training] at 1 o'clock when the races start and I would fill in a couple of hours like that.
"One thing would lead to another and sometimes I would walk out about 5 or 6 o'clock trying to chase money I had lost earlier on in the day.
"It all went from there."
Gallop said the Sullivan case proved rugby leagues players were also open to society's problems.
"There are counselling services available for this type of thing," Gallop said.
"We would encourage players to utilise these services.
"We aren't immune from the problems.
"Like a lot of problems in the community, our players are going to be exposed to a range of social problems."
Raper said it was only recently he became aware of the extent to which Sullivan gambled.
"I knew he was a punter," Raper said. "We all like a dabble.
"But it's only been recent that we became aware he was a heavy punter.
"We have helped bail him out and helped pay off his debts.
"He's been through a lot over the past couple of years [Sullivan's mother Leanne died of cancer in May last year].
"We have tried to help him as best we can.
"I was a bit surprised he wanted to share it [publicly] but it did show character and it also shows that rugby league players are human beings. It is a good lesson for people."
Sullivan is now attempting to stabilise his financial plight by investing in real estate and attending welfare programs.
Source:
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15663849-23214,00.html
