Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has opened up about her first football bet which she lost ₦5 million, saying she was broke and emotionally drained.
The actress posted the revelation on her Instagram page shortly after the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final where Spain beat defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the trophy.
Etiko said that the heavy loss had made her decide to stay away from sports betting permanently. She admitted the emotional stress of waiting for the outcome of the match was overwhelming and not worth the risk.
The anxiety she experienced during the bet was so great, the actress says, that it almost affected her health, and she decided that she would never bet again.
Read Also: Annie Idibia Addresses Viral Video Fueling Reconciliation Rumours With 2Face
First time betting and lost. Will never try again. My 5M gone. Actually I’m done watching football. “Anxiety almost killed me,” she wrote.
Her post quickly garnered reactions from fans and followers, with many sympathising over the loss while others advised her to stay away from gambling altogether. Some social media users also took the opportunity to warn others about the risks of betting, saying that large financial losses can be incurred regardless of how confident you may be about the outcome of a prediction.
Etiko’s revelation came following the dramatic 2026 FIFA World Cup final played at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time in a hard-fought final to become world champions.
Substitute Ferran Torres scored the winner in the 106th minute to give Spain their second FIFA World Cup title and end Argentina’s reign as defending champions.
The actress did not reveal which team she backed but made it clear that the outcome of the match cost her ₦5 million and has completely changed her attitude toward sports betting. “It was enough to deter me from gambling and I’m done watching football,” she said with a laugh after the painful loss.
