Ex-England footballer Peter Shilton said he was "surprised and delighted" to be appointed CBE in the New Year Honours.
Shilton, who lives in Essex, was given the award for services to football and the prevention of gambling harm.
The 74-year-old is England's most-capped player, with 125, and was a gambling addict for 45 years until his wife helped him quit eight years ago.
He said he was "very excited" and "couldn't quite believe it, really".
Mr Shilton had already become an MBE and then an OBE. His England career took him to the World Cup finals of 1982, 1986 and 1990,
His club career included playing for his hometown team Leicester City before moves to Stoke City, Nottingham Forest (where he won a league title and two European Cups), Southampton, Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.