Stardom is filled with glitz, glamour, status and gobs of money. It is having that type of cash on hand and in the bank account where the sky is the limit to spending opportunity. Money attracts money and the ultra-rich are not exempt from the attractive incentives, thrills and big wins gambling offers. Gambling doesn’t discriminate against race, creed or color and is the one time we are all equal, well except for the size of the bet.
At first it is all purely for occasional entertainment value and fun. After all it is never a problem when you are winning right? But for some of these celebs the hobby turned into a hardcore addiction where the Boulevard of Dreams becomes broken.
Sport athletes are not exempt either from getting stuck by the gambling bug. Pete Rose the Baseball legend who played on the Cincinnati Reds and was a manager was banned from Major League Baseball 1989. His crime? Gambling on the baseball games which is considered one of the biggest no-no’s due to the fact it can ultimately affect the outcome of the game’s score. It breached the integrity and good faith of a player’s efforts on the field by having his own best interest at heart.
The Not so Lucky Number 7 Celebrities with an alleged Gambling Addiction
1.) Ben Affleck – His latest riff was in a Las Vegas Casino after getting caught allegedly counting cards in Blackjack in 2015. Is no secret Affleck loves the game of 21 and Poker. In 2001 he checked into rehab after losing a $400,000 hand of Poker. To add insult to injury he allegedly enjoys drinking alcohol while he plays which greatly reduces will power and all reasoning to walk away. He reportedly bet $60,000 on a single Blackjack hand, and with lady luck on his side won $800,000. Elated, he shared his newfound wealth by leaving a $150,000 generous tip to the casino employees.
2.) Tobey Maguire – The American actor and film producer is best known for his part in the Spider-Man trilogy. He is also known for being a heavy hitter at the Poker tables. His alleged addiction also led him to get involved in an illegal Poker ring operation for which he was sued. Considered an excellent card player he has also participated in the World Series of Poker and has won a total of $10 million and picked up an addiction along the way.
3.) Ray Romano – While fans were enjoying this actor in Everybody Loves Raymond his enjoyment was gambling. So much so he willing went to Gamblers Anonymous due to his alleged addiction. He has been known to be part of the World Series of Poker but isn’t consider pro league material.
4.) Charlie Sheen – Actor who appeared in blockbuster movies like Wall Street also gained recognition in the television show Two and a Half Men. Having a reputation for being in the news for one thing or another one of his vices according to his ex-wife Denise Richards is gambling. At one time she claims he spent $200,000 every week on his gambling habit of playing poker and betting on sports. Allegedly he has kicked the habit and doesn’t gamble anymore.
5.) Gladys Knight – Music icon for such classics as I Heard It Through the Grape Vine, Midnight Train to Georgia and Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me. Her alleged gambling addiction grew after being introduced to Blackjack at the Casino. One night after spending all hours at the tables until morning where she should have been home getting her son off to school, she felt sick at the tables. She got up went straight to the phone and called Gamblers Anonymous who picked her up immediately. She has since recovered in what she defines as “divine intervention”.
Sports Heroes
6.) Tiger Woods – Consider one of the best golfers of all time, he has had his share of publicity that is not golf related with his sexual escapades and gambling. Rumors flew that he allegedly bet $25,000 per hand when playing blackjack. Gaining High Roller status he received a $1 million betting limit by the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. One of his special requests was to allegedly have beautiful women around the table he played at.
7.) Michael Jordan – Chicago Bulls basketball legend who is one of the best players in the business has dabbled more than a bit in gambling. The first time it was revealed was when he admitted losing $165,000 in Atlantic City in 1993. He dabbled in Poker with not much success but was a heavy bettor on golf after losing $1.25 million in golf to Richard Esquinas, a businessman from San Diego.
