Remember Molly’s Game? The 2017 thriller that unveiled the dark underbelly of Hollywood gambling? It was just the tip of the iceberg. Because while Leo DiCaprio, the Olsen twins, Tobey Maguire, and Ben Affleck like to run around the casino, they’re not the only celebrities who do. Hollywood is lousy with tales of celebrity gambling, ranging from the funny and charming to the risky and sad. Let’s review some of these stories by looking at the 4 biggest Hollywood stars that gamble.
Of course, the digitization of gambling has changed how we access our favorite games. And while you may not run into these stars while placing a bet on Betway, you shouldn’t be too surprised to see them at the table next to you in Macau or Las Vegas. With that said, let’s get into it:
Ben Affleck
Apart from an obvious attraction to women named Jennifer, DC’s Batman is a poker and blackjack savant. Affleck has played poker at the highest level for years, having won the 2004 California State Poker Championship and $356,400 in prize money. He also qualified for the World Poker Tour 2004 finals. In 2014, he was reportedly kicked out of the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas for counting cards during blackjack. Affleck had apparently won so many hands he roused the casino’s suspicions.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is the best player ever to grace the NBA court; there’s no arguing that. But is he the best gambler? When he’s not giving us iconic dunks and swanky shoes, Jordan is placing large bets on everything from golf to Jumbotron cartoon races. CBS Sports calls him “Basketball’s most famous bettor.” In 1993, he was reportedly on the hook for $1.25 million, which a friend claimed he owed in golf bets. Jordan has allegedly lost millions to his gambling habit, including, according to some rumors, his first NBA career.
Tobey Maguire
The original Spiderman was in that movie for a reason. In 2004, Maguire took up tournament poker and appeared in three World Series of Poker Main Event Championships between 2005 and 2007. He has studied the game under poker legend David Negreanu and played in Molly Bloom’s underground poker room, for which he was depicted in the movie by Player X. Some reports suggest that Maguire has won several million dollars in competitive and high-risk poker.
Floyd Mayweather
He’s loud, he’s flashy, and he gambles. The undefeated Floyd “Money” Mayweather is no stranger to the occasional wager. His specialty is sports bets, which he places in large enough amounts to make the news. Over the years, the boxing champion has bet on everything from basketball and American football to boxing. One of his largest wagers was a $1.1 million moneyline on the Oregon Ducks, for which he won $1 million. Mayweather has won many other large bets, which he shares online, and lost several, which he doesn’t.
Wrapping up
There you have it. Next time you’re at a casino, look around for your favorite celebrity. In addition to these five stars, you may spot other Hollywood bigwigs who enjoy a good romp at the occasional poker table or sportsbook arena. Think 50 Cent, Jennifer Tilly, Tiger Woods, Harry Styles, and the legendary Dana White. There are even cautionary tales like Allen Iverson, who lost his $200 million fortune to the blackjack tables. But if rubbing shoulders with Batman during a spirited game of poker is not our idea of fun, play a few rounds on our phone through the Betway app at the convenience of your home.