Former England and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli has reportedly lost close to £150,000 in high-stakes poker games at a London casino over the past few weeks.

According to reports by Daily Mail Sport, the losses are said to have occurred during late-night sessions at The Victoria Casino in central London, where Alli has allegedly been playing regularly since returning to the city.

Sources familiar with the games claim the 29-year-old often loses around £25,000 per session, with the cumulative figure nearing £150,000 in just a few days.

A poker regular quoted by Daily Mail Sport described Alli as a “whale” — a term used in gambling circles for players perceived as inexperienced but willing to stake and lose large sums.

The source said his arrival at the casino typically attracts seasoned players eager to join his table, adding that Alli has been attending games almost every other day and playing for several hours at a time.

Another player told the outlet that Alli appeared withdrawn and unhappy during the sessions, rarely engaging in conversation. The source added that while Alli did not seem troubled by the financial losses, his demeanour suggested someone struggling away from the spotlight. “Poker is a tough game — there’s no room for emotion. It’s all about strategy and winning as much as you can”, the player said.

Alli, once regarded as one of England’s brightest midfield talents and valued at over £50 million during his peak at Tottenham, is currently without a club after being released by Italian side Como in September.

He previously earned around £150,000 per week and has an estimated net worth of about £20 million.

The player also added that this period is a tough one for the former Tottenham Hotspur’s man.

“It’s actually quite sad because he doesn’t really speak to anyone and doesn’t appear happy. He clearly isn’t short of money and doesn’t seem bothered by losing such amounts, which is great for us.”

However, injuries, loss of form, and personal challenges have contributed to a sharp decline in his career, stalling the progress of a player once linked with elite clubs such as Real Madrid.