The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas has often been compared to the spectacle of Hollywood. Indeed, the two share a lot in common. From their history in the early 20th century, to their development as an American center of culture and entertainment, the two cities are quite remarkable. One other thing they share in common is that both are capable of producing some of the world’s biggest stars. Actors, musicians, and directors have made their name in Hollywood, but Las Vegas has also produced performers, stage magicians, and of course, top-tier gamblers.
When discussing celebrity gamblers, there are two categories we need to consider; the celebrity, who enjoys gambling, and the gambler who becomes a celebrity because of how good they are. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the biggest celebrities in gambling, discuss their story of loss, victory, and more.
Ben Affleck – Surprising Talent
Ben Affleck is incredibly talented. He hit it big when him and his life-long friend, Matt Damon, got their film project Good Will Hunting off of the ground. After that, the two collaborated as actors, directors, screen writers, and producers. To this day, they are a force to be reckoned with in the industry. Though they’ve gone their separate ways professionally, they are still quite close in their private lives. They even share a mutual love of gambling.
Ben Affleck, specifically, has gotten quite the reputation as a blackjack and poker player. The A-list actor has participated in several poker tournaments, most notably the 2004 No-Limit Hold’em event, in which he won close to $400,000. As a blackjack player, he is even more successful. Reportedly, his card counting and tactical skills are so good, that he has been banned from the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Rumors are circulating that he might have even been blacklisted from certain casinos.
His current status as a gambler remains unknown. Perhaps Affleck has withdrawn from gambling all together. Or maybe he just prefers the solitude of online casinos. After all, why visit a brick and mortar establishment, when he can be playing with £5 in UK online casinos? Gambling websites are simpler to access, easier to navigate, and often offer some bonuses that make the game a bit easier for newbies. That is why their popularity continues to grow in 2024.
Michael Jordan – A Story of Loss
When discussing great basketball players, bringing up Michael Jordan is all but mandatory. Not only do many consider him one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but also one of the top athletes of the 20th century, and the man responsible for the NBA’s worldwide success. Though he tried his hand at baseball and golf, few remember any positive moments from his time with those sports. However, none of Michael Jordan’s endeavors outside of basketball were as notorious as his attempt at gambling.
Jordan’s tendency towards gambling began on the golf course, where he reportedly made quite a few side bets given the opportunity. According to a few of his associates at the time, he was quite successful in terms of golf betting. However, Jordan’s gambling streak didn’t stop there. As it turns out, the basketball player did not have much luck outside of the court. Jordan was infamously unsuccessful when it comes to gambling, and had to step away from casinos, as it was beginning to form a bad habit.
Though many saw Jordan’s fondness of poker as an extension of his competitive nature, a lot of others were beginning to see some issues develop. Jordan would lose quite frequently, and often didn’t know when to stop. Reportedly, one time he even lost over a million dollars just in one session. Today, many discuss the Chicago Bull’s stint in gambling as a dark time in his life, and for good reason. The secret of being a top gambler is not just knowing when to hold, but also when to walk away.
Pamela Anderson – Staking it all on Love
Pamela Anderson is known worldwide as one of the most attractive women in the world. She has done work as a model for some of the best and most beloved publications in the world, has starred in a slew of television shows, has authored several books, and has appeared on dozens of talk shows. Needless to say, she is considered one of the most noteworthy sex symbols in history. Anderson was also quite noteworthy for her gambling, especially her love of poker.
From what we know about her record, Anderson was neither remarkable, nor especially bad. There aren’t many stories about incredible wins, or devastating losses. Which begs the question; why is she on this list? The reason why we are including Pamela Anderson here is because she might just have one of the most romantic gambling stories in Hollywood history.
After her second marriage to Kid Rock fell apart, Anderson met Rick Salomon, a well-known poker player, who has participated in several World Series of Poker tournaments. In a game between herself and Salomon, Pamela purportedly lost quite a hefty sum of money. Instead of paying it off, she traded in her cash for a kiss, which the poker player gladly accepted. The two were married in 2007. Though their marriage lasted about a year, the story remains one of the most iconic stories of gambling and romance in Hollywood.
Glamour and Gambling
The connection between gambling and the glamour of Hollywood will not likely be severed any time soon. In fact, with online casinos growing in popularity, a lot more people are showing interest in gambling. Fans are rediscovering some of the most iconic gambling films, and there is a clear demand for new stories about casinos to be told. Right now, superhero action is the name of the game, especially when it comes to big blockbusters. But, we might just see gambling movies take over the dramatic and indie film festivals, which have been getting a lot more attention recently.