Stephen Bunting reveals £90,000 gambling debt and addiction

English professional darts player Stephen Bunting has revealed a period of severe gambling addiction that led to £90,000 in debt. The world number ten shared that his struggle primarily involved online slot machines, where he would place frequent one-pound bets without realizing the cumulative financial impact.

Bunting described the situation as devastating, noting that he only grasped the true scale of the problem when his partner, Keila, showed him his bank statements. The crisis was so profound that Bunting considered abandoning his professional darts career to seek conventional employment, even researching jobs through employment centers.

To manage his addiction, Bunting sought professional help from a psychotherapist and a hypnotherapist approximately five years ago. He continues to utilize hypnotherapy, sometimes twice a week, particularly during major tournaments or challenging periods in his career.