The Sun: "At first he hit a winning streak and was soon up £130,000.
"This luck turned and after two hours' further play at the craps table he was down an eye-watering £970,000.
"But the mega-rich Toon supremo, worth £890million, didn't seem too down-hearted - he still tipped the dealer £700.
"A source said: "It was incredible. He lost a million quid in not much longer than it takes to play a football match but still left with a smile on his face." "
Ashley was in Aspers casino, just 300 yards from United's St James' Park, with Pardew and the Premier League club's managing director Derek Llambias.
Ashley made his fortune from the Sports Direct store chain and at one stage was worth £1.9billion, making him the 25th richest man in Britain.
