Celebrities Who Love Gambling

BetMGM Aug 25, 2021, 9:35 AM
min read
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From Mozart and Casanova to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, thereโ€™s never been a shortage of celebrities who enjoy recreational gambling. And now even more of todayโ€™s celebrities are tuning in to the convenience and enormous variety offered by their favorite online casino real-money gambling platforms.

Read on to discover some of the worldโ€™s most iconic celebrities who love playing online casino games and traditional casino games in their free time.

Matt Damon

The first famous high-roller on this list of people on this list is actor extraordinaire Matt Damon. The five-time Oscar nominee and winner of one Academy Award developed an appreciation for gambling when he played law student and gifted poker player Mike McDermott in the hugely popular movie โ€œRoundersโ€ in 1998. Professional poker player Johnny Chan coached Damon to prepare for his role. Long after work on the movie ended, the Hollywood A-lister continued to indulge in casino table game classics such as poker and blackjack. While heโ€™s been quoted saying he doesnโ€™t get to play as often as heโ€™d like, Damon can occasionally be spotted in some of the most famous casinos in the world.

Ben Affleck

Matt Damonโ€™s best bud, Ben Affleck, needs no introduction. And, like Damon, heโ€™s a poker and blackjack man. In 2013, Affleck starred in the crime thriller โ€œRunner Runner,โ€ which had the star pitted against a fictitious empire of online casino websites. While the movie generally received negative reviews, Affleck continued his enjoyment of gambling, with casino staff reporting he always tips generously.ย 

George Clooney

George Clooney has enjoyed visiting casinos and celebrity gambling hotspots around the world to such an extent that he started proceedings in 2005 to buy a casino in Las Vegas. His plans never got off the ground, though, so this famous high-roller has to content himself with outings to other peopleโ€™s casinos, and acting in casino-themed movies like โ€œOceanโ€™s Eleven,โ€ โ€œTwelve,โ€ and โ€œThirteen.โ€

Brad Pitt

The โ€œOceanโ€™sโ€ franchise got Brad Pitt interested in the pleasures of the best online casino games like poker and blackjack, as was the case with so many of his colleagues. To prepare for his gambling scenes, Pitt visited a number of casinos to practice his game skills and to get a feel for the atmosphere thatโ€™s so unique to these establishments. Heโ€™s continued to indulge in a casino table game every now and then when time allows.

Ray Romano

The star of โ€œEverybody Loves Raymondโ€ is a man of many talents. Apart from being an accomplished actor, heโ€™s also pretty good in a stakes room. He’s earned a reputation as a decent poker player, having participated in the World Series of Poker on several occasions.

Jessica Simpson

Actress and musician Jessica Simpson, of โ€œDukes of Hazzardโ€ and Nancy Sinatraโ€™s โ€œThese Boots Are Made for Walkinโ€™โ€ fame, bought a suite at the Palms Casino Resort in Vegas so she wouldnโ€™t have to go far to indulge in a bit of recreational gambling or enjoy all the other forms of entertainment on offer in the Gambling Capital of the World.

Michael Jordan

Sports celebrities know how important it is to keep practicing and developing their skill set. They also understand that no matter how often they practice, there will always be an element of luck in every success. This fickle combination could be what attracts so many sports celebrities to gambling and playing at casinos online.

Of all the celebrities who gamble included on this list, rumor has it that basketball legend Michael Jordan canโ€™t resist a wager. Along with casino gambling, heโ€™s been known to bet on the outcome of games like rock-paper-scissors, and whenever he takes to the golf course (which is often, because itโ€™s his favorite sport after basketball), he bets money on any number of aspects in a round. Fellow sportsman Charles Barkley has mentioned Jordan even placed $300,000 on the outcome of a single putt.

Tiger Woods

Now hereโ€™s a man who knows all about playing for high stakes. This enormously talented golfer and controversial celebrity is a fan of blackjack, and with a personal fortune of around $800 million, Tiger Woodsโ€™ bankroll is whatever he chooses.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

While many have placed bets on Floyd Mayweather Jr.โ€™s fights, the flashy fighter, worth over $1 billion, has been known to bet enormous sums of money on sports events. Itโ€™s even rumored that he was planning to bet $400,000 on himself to beat UFC star Conor McGregor, but decided not to go ahead with the bet when various sportsbooks started to question the legality of this type of wager. One of his most famous bets, which he boasted about on social media in 2012, was when he put $1.1 million on an Oregon vs. Arizona State college football game. That time, the fighter got lucky. He made a $1 million profit off the bet when the Ducks took the game 43-21 to cover the spread.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is no stranger to the gambling delights of the City of Lights. Sheโ€™s often spotted in various Las Vegas establishments, and will play casino online games and other favorites in between meetings and engagements.

50 Cent

Hip-hop artist and business mogul 50 Cent is another celebrity with a reputation for placing bets on sports events. He once wagered $2 million against boxer Manny Pacquiao, then another bet of the same value on the 49ers against the New York Giants. He was lucky enough to win both bets, but heโ€™s lost a fair amount over the years as well.

Six men playing poker at a wooden table with a bar in the background.

Why Do Celebrities Find Gambling So Exciting?

Have you ever wondered why the rich and famous flock to the casino floor, place massive bets on those sports games, or play casino online games like anybody else? While most gamblers who arenโ€™t famous are drawn to the thrill and the potential wins, it definitely isnโ€™t about the money for celebrity high rollers (who are already obviously rolling in plenty of it). For most celeb gamblers, gambling is an exhilarating escape from the pressures of fame and a chance to test their luck against the odds. And who can deny how much fun it is to practice your poker face or win some free spins in an online slot?

Fame and fortune sound like a dream, but that lifestyle comes with a lot of scrutiny and stress. Gambling can also be a wonderful way for celebrities (and regular people) to unwind, just as long as players know how to gamble responsibly and set a reasonable bankroll for themselves. Unfortunately, this can be challenging since most celebrities have plenty of money on hand, making the risk of losing bets not nearly as concerning โ€” and the opportunity to win big even more tempting.

Celebrity Gamblers in the Spotlight

When a celebrity hits the jackpot, is banned from a casino, or suffers a major loss, the world takes notice. Their gambling habits can shape public perception of gambling itself. A star athleteโ€™s well-publicized win at the poker table might spark a surge in interest in the game. A respected actorโ€™s struggle with gambling addiction can raise awareness about the importance of responsible gambling.

Celebritiesโ€™ actions can even influence betting trends. For example, if a famous rapper places a massive bet on a particular team, fans and followers will also often jump on the bandwagon, potentially skewing the odds.

Ultimately, the impact of celebrity gambling, both positive and negative, reverberates throughout the industry. Itโ€™s vital to remember how wealthy many of these celebrity gamblers are so you donโ€™t use their habits as a model for your own. Have fun and take calculated risks, but never gamble more than you can afford to lose.

At BetMGM Casino, Youโ€™re Always a Star

You donโ€™t have to be a famous celebrity to enjoy a five-star experience at BetMGM Casino โ€” the best online casino for slots, casino table games, and more. Whether you prefer online slots, online roulette, or immersive live dealer titles, you can enjoy all the games your favorite celebrities play, and plenty more. Register to explore the ever-growing menu, and donโ€™t forget to grab your casino Welcome Bonus.

Donโ€™t forget you can use your BetMGM rewards both online (via a PC or the BetMGM mobile gaming app) and in physical MGM-owned casinos like MGM Grand and Delano Las Vegas.

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