NBA star Rex Chapman: Gambling Addiction was harder than drugs

When former NBA guard Rex Chapman looks back on his life and career, overcoming the injuries, surgeries, and even the painkillers came second to a tougher opponent: gambling, a vice that seems more relevant now than ever. 

In a candid reflection shared with Basketball Network, Chapman noted that gambling may have been even harder than drugs. For a man once nicknamed “The Boy Wonder,” the journey from NBA stardom to sleeping in his car serves as a harsh reminder of how gambling addiction can take root and consume everything.

Chapman details past issues with Gambling Addiction

Chapman’s path into gambling started young. As he recounted in a GQ profile, he learned to read a racing form before he could even read in school. His father, a basketball coach, introduced him to horse racing when he was just six years old. Innocent outings with twenty-dollar show bets evolved into a lifelong compulsion that followed him into the NBA and beyond.

During his 12-year professional career, Chapman admits he never viewed gambling as a problem. He would bet heavily during offseasons and go months without placing a wager, convincing himself that this proved he was in control. 

It wasn’t until much later, after years of losses, that he realized gambling had become his way of coping. 

Chapman’s lifetime gambling losses

During his NBA years, Chapman earned between $40 and $54 million in salary. But as his gambling escalated, between off-track betting and high-stakes blackjack tables, his fortune dwindled rapidly. He estimates losing between $10 and $20 million, much of it in casinos.

Chapman explained that he could only blow so much money at the racetrack. But at the casino, playing blackjack, things could get out of hand fast.

The occasional big wins deepened the illusion of control, while inevitable losses reinforced the cycle of chasing what was gone. In retrospect, Chapman equated a $100,000 win to being fool’s gold.

By 2013, Chapman was bankrupt, addicted to painkillers and living out of his El Camino. A series of arrests, including a shoplifting incident and asking his own son to lie to the police on his behalf, forced him to confront the reality of his addictions. 

Chapman entered treatment, addressing both his substance use and gambling. He has now been sober since 2014 and continues to advocate for mental health and recovery.

Rex Chapman’s other struggles with addiction, drugs

Chapman’s story is intertwined with his opioid addiction, which began after multiple surgeries late in his career. At his lowest point, he was taking as many as 50 painkillers a day, combining Vicodin, OxyContin and later Suboxone, which is an opioid medication meant to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Chapman emphasized that he was never good with money in the first place, and that his opioid addiction only worsened his financial skills because the drugs made him feel like he was invincible. 

He spent over a decade cycling between pain medication and self-destructive behavior, all while trying to maintain a public image of control. It took the collapse of his career, finances and personal relationships for him to seek lasting help.

Today, Chapman describes his recovery as a daily process rather than a destination, and practicing gratitude is a big part of that process.

Gambling Addiction among athletes 

Chapman’s story is not an anomaly. Research shows that athletes face a higher risk of developing gambling addiction compared to the general population.

A review conducted by Rutgers University’s Center for Gambling Studies found that in nearly 79% of studies, athletes gambled more often than non-athletes, and in 75%, they were more likely to bet on sports specifically. The prevalence of problem gambling among athletes ranged from 12% to 28%, far exceeding the 1-3% estimated for the general U.S. adult population.

Experts point to several factors behind this disparity:

• Competitiveness and risk-taking: Traits that drive athletic performance can also fuel impulsive or high-stakes betting.
  
  

• Illusion of expertise: Many athletes believe their knowledge of a sport improves their odds of winning bets.
  
  

• Downtime and travel: Long stretches away from home or team structure create opportunities for gambling.
  
  

• Cultural normalization: Locker-room betting pools, fantasy leagues and exposure to widespread sports wagering can make gambling feel routine, and even expected.

The result is an environment where gambling can seem like harmless entertainment until it becomes something far more destructive.

Gambling Addiction treatment in the U.S.

Like substance use disorder, gambling addiction is a diagnosable condition that requires clinical care and support. Yet for athletes and public figures, stigma and shame often keep them from reaching out. Fear of reputation damage or perceived weakness can delay intervention until the consequences become severe.

Birches Health works to eliminate barriers by providing confidential, evidence-based virtual treatment tailored to the realities of modern life, including the pressures faced by athletes and high-performance professionals. Recovery is not about shame, but about reclaiming control.

If you, a teammate or someone you care about may be struggling with gambling, help is available and recovery is possible.

Book an appointment with Birches Health
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com