Michael Phelps Gambled for Eight Hours Prior to DUI Arrest
Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps spent eight hours gambling at a Baltimore casino prior to his drunk-driving arrest on Tuesday. According to TMZ, Phelps, who is said to be a regular at the Horseshoe Casino in Maryland, began playing around 5 pm on Monday and was in a private VIP room until around 1 am.
He reportedly played blackjack during his visit. A few miles from the casino, he was pulled over at around 1:40 am with suspicion of DUI. It was alleged that the Olympic champion had been drinking while gambling. Neither Phelps nor his representatives have commented on these claims.
The Arrest
In the early hours of Tuesday, police in Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) stopped Phelps in his Land Rover near Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-395. The famous swimmer then underwent a field sobriety test, which he failed. It later came out that Phelps had a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit.
"[Phelps] was unable to perform satisfactorily on a series of standard field sobriety tests," the police department said in a statement. "Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process."
Phelps was arrested but released from an MTA station.
The swimmer later took to Twitter to express his regret:
"Earlier this morning, I was arrested and charged with DUI, excessive speeding and crossing double lane lines. I understand the severity of my actions and take full responsibility. I know these words may not mean much right now, but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."
Past DUI Charge
Phelps wasn't new to DUI arrests. Back in 2004, when he was 19, Phelps was arrested in Salisbury, Maryland, charged with DUI and DWI, among other counts, and eventually pleaded guilty to drunk driving. He received 18 months of probation.
Ryan Lochte, fellow American swimmer, had a strong reaction to the situation:
"He just makes dumb decisions. He has so much money to get a driver. I even have a driver. Just stinks for the sport of swimming. But he will become smarter from this."
Phelps is considered the most decorated Olympic athlete with 18 gold medals, and he has won 2 silver and 2 bronze ones as well. He announced retirement after the 2012 London Olympics, but later returned to competitive swimming.
Phelps has also enjoyed playing poker:
"I love to play, and it's fun; it's exciting," he said in a 2008 interview with CardPlayer. "I've been playing for a few years, and I started getting more serious."
In the past, Phelps even reached the final table of a $1,500 event at the Caesars Palace Classic in Las Vegas, winning almost $5,200.
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