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Football stars are blowing ­millions of pounds on gambling after being wooed by bookies promising a host of freebies and glamour invites, an insider has claimed.

And the whistleblower alleged bosses allowed them to carry on betting even after they had lost fortunes and were showing signs of addicition.

Account managers offer players from across the Premier League VIP ­incentives such as invites to horse racing, Formula One and top football matches as well as offers of free booze, parties and entertainment packages.

Lifting the lid on the gambling craze sweeping the game, the insider told how one England star bet £500 on his own transfer to a top flight club in a bid to win £5,000.

And a Premier League defender lost £500,000 on mobile phone casino games in a year, leaving him with just pennies in an account that once had £1.2million in it. One Scotland star begged bookies to close his account after blowing £25,000 on slot machines and roulette, telling them: “My gambling is out of control.”

And another player lost half of the £500,000 he deposited in his bets fund.

(Image: PA)

The insider, from a major UK bookie, said: “Top players get invites to big sports events. They give them goodies so they get them to spend money, and free food and booze when they get there.

“One PL defender at a struggling club lost £500,000 on his mobile phone.

“Gambling on casino games is just too easy. You lose in seconds, on a spin.

“The England player who bet on his own transfer was sussed and the bet was voided. He had one account closed. Anyone else would have been banned. He set up another £40,000 account for roulette. They let him play. They do pick up big names.

“If it was Joe Average, not a ­ footballer , they would not be allowed to continue playing.”

The Association of British Bookmakers said a host of new responsible gambling measures had been introduced in a bid to stop wagers getting out of hand. They include giving players the ability to set a limit on money they spend or time gaming. And there is a “self-exclusion” scheme and £50 stake limits.

But our source claimed the player who lost £500,000 on mobile casino games was allowed to continue betting.

(Image: PA)

The insider added: “He had 39 pence left. At one stage, he had £1.2million.”

The claims came after Burnley star Joey Barton was banned from football for 18 months on a FA betting rap .

He admitted to being addicted to gambling after placing 1,260 bets on matches last year.

But the whistleblower said: “Barton is typical. There is one Premier League outfit with a lot of players who deposited money together. I don’t know if they were betting together.”

Former Stoke winger Matthew ­Etherington said bookies should refuse to take wagers from players if their gambling is getting out of control.

The 35-year-old, who lost £1.5million due to his addiction, added: “They need to recognise those that are vulnerable and don’t take bets from them.

“I was targeted. We had gambling companies come into the club and say, ‘You can bet with us.’

“They knew we were young, a bit vulnerable and had lots of money. Looking back, it was very irresponsible of them.”

There are an estimated 250,000 problem gamblers in the UK, with about half a million people deemed to be “at risk” of addiction, according to GambleAware

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Chief executive Marc Etches said: “Young men are among the most vulnerable. Professional sport is dominated by them. It is about having time and liking risky behaviour. A lot of work needs to be done to help them.”

But our source alleged problem gamblers could still “walk into a branch and open an account” even after they had

“self-excluded”.

FA chairman Greg Clarke has ordered a report into whether it is appropriate for clubs to have official ­partnerships with gambling and betting.

The body, which has a deal with Ladbrokes, is expected to make a ­decision this summer.

A worldwide ban on betting on football came into force at the start of the 2014-15 season for all those involved in the game from Premier League though all the leagues to the lower levels.

That means stars cannot wager, either directly or indirectly, on any match or competition.

It also made it illegal to gamble on any other football-related matter including, the transfer of players, hiring of managers or team selection.

National Gambling Helpline is 0808 8020 133.

Players whose lives were blighted by gambling

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The world of football has been littered with players suffering huge gambling problems.

Paul Merson was one of the stars with the biggest addiction.

He admitted blowing a staggering £7m on betting.

At his worst, when playing for Aston Villa, he even contemplated breaking his own fingers to stop himself dialling the bookies.

Former Manchester United, Newcastle and Blackburn star Keith Gillespie blew £7.2m.

(Image: Coventry Telegraph Archive)

He said: “Without a doubt I was a stupid gambler. But then there’s not too many clever gamblers. I had a good education, I was brought up well, but once you get caught up in it, it takes the wits out of you.

By his own admission former Spurs star Matthew Etherington estimated he has lost about £1.5million on greyhounds, horses and poker.

He said: “I was gambling in all forms, playing poker on the internet or in schools, but it was basically the dogs and horses, going into betting shops, betting online.

“Not football, because there are a lot of rules and it was becoming known that I had a problem and I didn’t want to go down that road.

Back in 2009, it emerged former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen had a £6million gambling debt.

The Icelandic international became addicted whilst recovering from a serious knee injury at Barcelona, having spent two summers visiting Las Vegas.