Billy Walters on Phil Mickelson: I Don't Know That Anyone Has Bet More Money Than Him
Billy Walters is one of the biggest, most notorious sports gamblers in United States history, and he wrote in his book Gambler: Secrets From A Life At Risk, co-authored by Armen Keteyian, that Phil Mickelson placed over $1 billion in bets in his lifetime.
"I don't know anyone individually that has ever bet more than Phil Mickelson," he told Darren Rovell of the Action Network.
Walters also said that Mickelson bet at least $313 million when the two operated as betting partners, and likely sustained around $100 million in losses over the past three decades.
The book alleged that Mickelson attempted to wager $400,000 on the 2012 Ryder Cup while he was a part of Team USA.
"Have you lost your f--king mind?" Walters said was his response to Mickelson when allegedly approached to make the bet for the golfer. "Don't you remember what happened to Pete Rose? You're seen as the modern-day Arnold Palmer. You'd risk all that for this? I want no part of it."
Mickelson denied the allegations in a statement:
"I never bet on the Ryder Cup. While it is well known that I always enjoy a friendly wager on the course, I would never undermine the integrity of the game. I have also been very open about my gambling addiction. I have previously conveyed my remorse, took responsibility, have gotten help, have been fully committed to therapy that has positively impacted me and I feel good about where I am now."
The 53-year-old's ties to the gambling world haven't been a secret during his career. In 2015, Gregory Silveira of La Quinta pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering a sum of about $2.75 million for a "gambling client" that ESPN's Outside the Lines reported was Mickelson.
He was not charged with a crime.
And in 2021, Robert Snell of The Detroit News reported that "Dandy" Don DeSeranno, a mob-connected bookie, handled bets for Mickelson and testified in a 2007 trial that he couldn't pay Mickelson back an amount of $500,000. Again, Mickelson was not charged with any crimes.
But in 2022, the golfer did acknowledge publicly that he had a gambling addiction in an interview with Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated.
"My gambling got to a point of being reckless and embarrassing," he said. "I had to address it. And I've been addressing it for a number of years. And for hundreds of hours of therapy. I feel good where I'm at there. My family and I are and have been financially secure for some time."
