Former Hapoel Tel Aviv Player Omri Kanada Reveals Gambling Losses Exceeding One Million Shekels

Omri Kanada, a former player for Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Petah Tikva, opened up about his severe gambling addiction and the financial toll it took on his life during his participation in the Israeli TV show Power Couple on Channel 13. Now 40 years old and in the semifinals of the show, Kanada disclosed that he lost between one million and 1.5 million shekels due to gambling and related loans. He attributed part of his losses to lacking the right life partner and expressed a strong desire to finally achieve financial stability.

Kanada described his current efforts to rebuild his life, working multiple jobs including podcasting, media appearances, and delivering food to hotels and cafes daily. He emphasized his commitment to changing his mindset from "why" to "how" and said he is willing to take on additional work to secure his financial future. He also shared personal struggles, such as sometimes sleeping in his car after overnight work shifts and feeling embarrassed when recognized while working modest jobs.

Reflecting on his past, Kanada admitted he once felt he should have died but now views his survival as a gift. He recounted moments of hardship, like not having money to visit his eldest daughter and relying on his mother for help. Despite these challenges, he remains determined to continue working hard and rebuild his life after overcoming his gambling addiction.