Owen admits to gambling losses of £30,000-£40,000

MICHAEL OWEN has admitted running up losses of between £30,000-£40,000 from his “occasional” flutters.

The gambling habits of the Liverpool and England striker have been the subject of increasing speculation over the weekend.

Owen's love of horseracing is well known. As well as being a keen owner, the 23-year-old has recently moved into a new house with pregnant girlfriend Louise which has stables attached. And he insists his passion for the Sport of Kings will remain unaffected even though Bobby Charlton yesterday described the sums involved as 'vulgar' when asked for his opinion on high-stakes card games played by some players plus Eidur Gudjohnsen's claim he has lost £400,000 at casinos since his move to Chelsea.