Casinos have a pull that’s hard to explain. The lights, the low murmur at the table, the click of chips — it all adds up to something magnetic. For some celebrities, that pull becomes a genuine pastime, a place to test nerves and instincts away from the camera.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is practically Hollywood shorthand for the celebrity gambler. He learned blackjack and poker well enough that casino staff took notice. In Las Vegas he was once asked to stop playing blackjack after being identified as a card counter. Not illegal, but it’s the sort of edge that makes managers nervous. He still shows up at celebrity poker nights, looking calm and collected, like someone who’s been playing for years.
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly isn’t just an actress who likes poker; she’s a decorated pro. With over a million in tournament earnings and a WSOP bracelet, she’s a real force at the felt. Television poker shows know her well, and her induction into the Women In Poker Hall of Fame only cements the point: this is a serious second career, not a casual flirtation.
Matt Damon, Tobey Maguire, Paris Hilton, and Pamela Anderson
Matt Damon started playing seriously while preparing for Rounders, and the game became a lasting hobby. What began as research turned into a long-term hobby, one he keeps returning to for charity and celebrity tournaments. Tobey Maguire, meanwhile, is quieter but no less intense. He’s been linked to private, high-stakes games, often with other actors and pro players, where discretion is as important as skill.
Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson fit the other side of the coin — the glamorous, public-facing casino persona. Hilton’s Las Vegas image pairs perfectly with slot machines and late-night jackpots; she once won a significant amount (around $30,000) while gambling on her birthday in 2012. Also, Anderson’s big slot win made tabloid headlines years back. They embody the immediate thrill of flashing lights and the simple pleasure of a lucky pull.
Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars once found himself the center of a persistent rumor: a massive $50 million gambling debt tied to his Las Vegas residency. MGM publicly denied the claim, stressing a respectful working relationship. Still, the story stuck around, showing how easily fame and high-stakes gambling get tangled in the public imagination.
Drake and 50 Cent
Drake’s wagers are loud and visible; he posts them, he talks about them, and they become part of his persona. He often places big bets on sporting events, the kind of public gamble that turns into social media fodder. 50 Cent mixes bravado with strategic play, showing that rappers can be both flashy bettors and methodical players when they want to be.
Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods
Two athletes known for relentless competitiveness — Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods — have histories with gambling that readers often mention in profiles and biographies. Their penchant for risk seems to translate naturally from sport to stakes, a reminder that the need to compete doesn’t always end when the whistle blows.
The casino lifestyle takes many forms: private poker rooms, charity tournaments, headline-making bets, or a quiet slot machine in a late-night bar. For celebrities it’s sometimes about the game, sometimes about the spectacle, and sometimes about both.
Do you follow celebrity gambling stories? Which of these casino-loving stars surprises you the most? Leave a comment below and tell us — and don’t forget to follow The Gossip Blog on Facebook and Twitter for more inside looks and juicy updates.
Nicole Kidman files for divorce from Keith Urban after 19 years of marriage. Read more here.
Sources:
- www.si.com/extra-mustard/2014/05/03/ben-affleck-counting-cards-hard-rock
- www.golf.com/news/best-michael-jordan-golf-gambling-stories/
- www.people.com/mgm-resorts-denies-bruno-mars-owes-50-million-dollars-gambling-debt-8610895
- www.people.com/celebrity/molly-bloom-recalls-the-ups-and-downs-of-being-hollywoods-poker-princess/
- www.avclub.com/tobey-maguire-sued-for-being-awesome-at-poker-1798226310
- www.britishperioddramas.com/info/top-5-famous-actors-who-are-fond-of-gambling/
