CARLTON coach Brett Ratten has revealed he previously questioned Brendan Fevola over his gambling habits, and that his former star forward denied having any issues at the time.

On Thursday night, Fevola admitted he had a long-term gambling problem and has spent the last 10 weeks undergoing counselling for his addiction.

Ratten said it was hard for a club to assist a player who wasn't forthcoming with information about his private life.

"We heard rumours when Brendan was at the club and we asked the question and he denied that. It's a line that you don't know all the time (between having a bet and having a problem) and it's hard to know everyone's personal business," Ratten said from Adelaide on Friday.

"We asked the question, but he denied it so that's all you can do and try to be there for support. It's good that he's come out and admitted it, so hopefully he gets over that really quickly and we wish him well."

Fevola was traded to the Brisbane Lions at the end of last season, following a series of indiscretions that culminated in a drunken display at the Brownlow Medal count.

He moved to Brisbane keen for a fresh start but has yet been able to escape his past, with the Lara Bingle nude-photo scandal also overshadowing his impressive on-field efforts for the Lions.

Ratten said some of the onus in situations like Fevola's had to fall back onto the player's manager.

"The relationship between the club, the manager and the player is really important and it's something that the club is always working pretty hard at to get that relationship really close, so hopefully then the information is passed around," he said.

"I think the manager and the football club have got a responsibility to the player to try and assist him through difficult times.

"The honesty of players [in telling clubs] something that might have happened behind the scenes that they don't like or that they're not happy about … if they could come forward it would be great and would support the club."

Ratten agreed footballers were susceptible to developing gambling addictions because of their large, disposable incomes but said in the end it came down to the individual.

"They make the choices in their own lives and hopefully they make the right ones."