15 Celebrities Who Like to Bet
15 Celebrities Who Like to Bet. Famous Faces and Their Gambling Habits
Gambling has always attracted people who like competition, risk and the thrill of a high stakes decision. It should come as no surprise that some of the world's most famous faces share that same pull. From Hollywood A-listers playing poker in private rooms to professional athletes betting six figures on a single game, celebrity gambling is well documented and genuinely fascinating.
Even Queen Elizabeth was known to enjoy a wager , particularly on horse racing. Here are 15 celebrities who have made their love of betting very public, along with what they actually play and what they are known for at the table.
1. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is one of the most serious celebrity gamblers around. He is a regular at high stakes poker tournaments and has spoken openly about his passion for blackjack. His gambling habit made headlines when he was banned from playing blackjack at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas after being accused of counting cards. Affleck later confirmed the story to ABC News , saying he had studied the technique seriously because he wanted to actually be good at the game rather than just play it. Card counting is not illegal, but casinos are entitled to refuse players they believe are doing it. The ban did nothing to cool his enthusiasm for casino games.
2. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods brings the same competitive intensity he shows on the golf course to casino floors and poker tables around the world. He is known to play high stakes poker and has been spotted at casinos in Las Vegas and beyond. Woods keeps his gambling relatively private compared to some on this list, but reports of his sessions at the tables are consistent enough to leave little doubt about how seriously he takes it.
3. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is arguably the most competitive person in this list and that carries directly into his gambling. Jordan is known to place large bets on casino games, golf challenges and sporting events. His appetite for wagering on individual golf putts became almost as famous as his basketball career. He does not do small stakes. For Jordan, gambling is an extension of the same competitive drive that made him the greatest basketball player of all time.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr
Floyd Mayweather is one of the most famous sports bettors in the world, with a net worth reported to exceed one billion dollars and a track record of placing very large wagers. He bet a reported $1.1 million on an Oregon vs Arizona State college football game in 2012, winning around $1 million when Oregon won convincingly. Yahoo Sports reported the win after Mayweather posted the betting slip publicly. He regularly shares winning betting slips on social media, including on NFL and NBA games. ESPN confirmed he regularly placed six and seven figure bets on sporting events throughout his career. Mayweather treats sports betting as both entertainment and a serious pursuit.
5. Matt Damon
Matt Damon developed a genuine interest in poker while preparing for his role in the 1998 film Rounders, in which he played a talented underground poker player. He took the preparation seriously, spending time in real card rooms to understand how the game works at a high level. His friendship with Ben Affleck, another serious poker player, has kept his interest alive well beyond the production. Damon is not as prolific a gambler as some on this list, but his connection to the poker world is well established.
6. George Clooney
George Clooney reportedly considered buying a Las Vegas casino in 2005, though the deal never went through. His affinity for the casino world is genuine rather than just a result of his Ocean's franchise roles, though playing Danny Ocean across three films clearly did nothing to diminish it. Clooney enjoys casino games and has been seen at notable establishments. He brings the same effortless cool to a casino table that he does to everything else.
7. Brad Pitt
Like Clooney, Brad Pitt immersed himself in casino culture while working on the Ocean's films. He spent time at casino tables learning poker and blackjack properly, rather than just going through the motions for the camera. That preparation appears to have left a lasting impression. Pitt continues to enjoy casino games when his schedule allows, though he keeps his gambling considerably more private than some of his counterparts.
8. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen has been open about his high stakes betting habits for years. He regularly bets large sums on sports and casino games, and his willingness to talk about his losses as freely as his wins adds to the sense that for Sheen, the thrill of placing the bet matters as much as the outcome. His lifestyle has made him one of Hollywood's most unpredictable characters, and his gambling habits fit squarely within that.
9. 50 Cent
Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent is a regular at casinos and has been spotted placing large bets at some of the most well known venues around the world. He favours roulette and blackjack and is known to bet on sports events. His high profile approach to money and risk translates naturally to the casino floor. 50 Cent is not shy about discussing his wins or, when they happen, his losses.
10. Dan Bilzerian
Dan Bilzerian has built a significant portion of his public persona around poker and high stakes gambling. Known for his lavish lifestyle and prolific social media presence, he has participated in some of the largest private cash games in the world and regularly places substantial bets on sporting events. His approach to risk extends well beyond the casino. Whether you find him admirable or not, his place in celebrity gambling culture is undeniable.
11. Ray Romano
Ray Romano is perhaps the most surprising name on this list. Best known for his role in Everybody Loves Raymond, Romano is a serious poker player who has competed in the World Series of Poker. His skill at the table catches people off guard, which may well be part of why he does well. Romano represents the category of celebrity gambler who is genuinely good rather than simply well funded.
12. Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton is a regular fixture in Las Vegas casino scenes and has been spotted across most of the major venues on the Strip. She incorporates betting naturally into her time in Vegas, enjoying blackjack and various other games between the social engagements that come with being one of the city's most recognisable visitors. Her presence in the casino world adds a particular kind of glamour that the venues themselves are happy to accommodate.
13. Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson has been a regular at casinos around the world for years, with a particular fondness for blackjack and roulette. She brings her own distinctive energy to the casino floor and has been photographed at notable venues across Europe and the United States. Anderson does not make a particular point of publicising her gambling, but her presence in casino circles is well documented.
14. Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson took her connection to Las Vegas a step further than most by purchasing a suite at the Palms Casino Resort, ensuring she always has convenient access to the action when she visits. Whether she is there for gambling or simply for the entertainment and atmosphere, the suite purchase speaks to a genuine affinity for the Vegas casino experience rather than a passing interest.
15. Keith Lemon
Keith Lemon, the comedic creation of British actor Leigh Francis, fronted a campaign for LottoGo in 2018, suggesting a connection to the world of lottery gaming if not casino gambling specifically. Whether it reflects genuine enthusiasm or a well matched endorsement deal, Lemon fits the broader category of British celebrity with a public association to gambling culture.
What celebrity gamblers have in common
Looking across this list, a few patterns stand out. Most of these celebrities are drawn to games that involve skill as well as luck - poker and blackjack feature heavily, while pure chance games are less common among the more serious players. Competitiveness is another common thread. Jordan, Mayweather, Affleck and Romano all bring the same drive to the casino that made them successful in their own fields.
The scale of the bets involved is also worth noting. When people at this level of wealth gamble, the sums can be extraordinary. But the underlying motivations - the thrill of risk, the satisfaction of a well-played hand, the social dimension of a high stakes game - are the same reasons anyone plays.
At Go Gambling , we cover the casino world from all angles. If the celebrity stories have piqued your interest in trying the games yourself, we can help you find a safe, licensed UK casino to start with.
