Many prominent celebrities share a passion for gambling, even taking part in high-stakes poker tournaments to support worthy causes.
Hollywood celebrities often turn to casino games such as roulette and blackjack to entertain or relax themselves, however some have developed unhealthy gambling habits which cost them millions in losses.
Gladys Knight
Celebrities are notoriously known to gamble in their free time, sometimes winning big but more often losing big; many develop unhealthy gambling habits as a result of such indulgences.
Gambling has become an integral component of Hollywood, featuring numerous popular actors in movies about casinos or related topics such as gambling. Many films are inspired by true stories, like Kevin Spacey’s role as Ben, which was inspired by MIT Blackjack Team history.
Ben Affleck is another actor who enjoys gambling, having participated in high-profile poker tournaments as well as hosting his own celebrity poker events to raise funds for charity. A regular at Las Vegas casinos, Affleck can often be found betting away his time.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck has no trouble taking on tabloid publications head on and doesn’t hesitate to use them as a platform to address trashy articles about him and his life. Recently, he took aim at reports that claimed he was banned from casinos for being too good at blackjack – an allegation denied by Affleck himself.
Gone Girl actor Paul Scheer says tabloid gossip about his gambling problem is untrue and admits counting cards at casinos while refuting claims he has an addiction problem.
Hollywood actor Daniel Craig recently ventured into action cinema through Netflix’s Triple Frontier, playing a struggling soldier hired to take down a drug lord. Additionally, he starred in Jay and Silent Bob: Reboot as well as appearing as a diplomat in an upcoming film featuring Anne Hathaway.
J.Lo
Gambling and celebrities often go hand-in-hand, with many of the world’s premier musicians taking pleasure in casino gaming. From blackjack and poker to online roulette, there are various opportunities for celebrities to indulge their passion for betting.
Michael Jordan, former NBA champion and long-time gambler, was well known for his penchant for gambling. From an early age he enjoyed visiting Atlantic City casinos, visiting slot machines featuring his image. Michael also frequently gambled before an important game – such as when he placed a bet right before facing off against New York Knicks in a playoff game – providing another reminder why controlling gambling habits is so essential – Las Vegas draws numerous celebrities who love trying their luck at casinos!
Brad Pitt
Gambling’s allure has attracted numerous A-list actors. These stars frequently star in films featuring casino adventures or poker tournaments; their real-life experiences provide a genuine touch to their on-screen roles.
Some celebrities have taken their passion for gambling one step further and attempted to open a casino resort, while others have fallen prey to addiction.
Charles Barkley has become famous for his wild casino gambling antics that have caused him to spend millions. Unfortunately, these adventures have led him into financial, marital, and legal problems due to his gambling addiction – something which he says helps relieve some of his competitive drive. Charles’ story serves as an important reminder to always gamble responsibly by never spending more than you can afford to lose.
Ray Romano
While most celebrities can gamble without losing too much, some celebrities such as Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley have lost millions through gambling, while other notable figures such as Charlie Sheen, Ben Affleck, and Tobey Maguire have become addicted to casino gambling.
Matt Damon became fascinated with gambling while filming the 1998 movie Rounders, under Johnny Chan’s coaching as part of his preparation. Since then he has indulged in casino table games such as poker and blackjack – even publishing a book entitled Beat the Dealer to teach techniques for counting cards and beating the house edge.
