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Famous Faces at the Tables: Celebrities Who Love Casino Games

These Celebrities Aren’t Just Famous for Their Careers—They’re Also Known for Their Love of Gambling

Lucky Strategist Lucky Strategist
- 3 min read
Famous Faces at the Tables: Celebrities Who Love Casino Games

Poker 🤝 Celebrities

When you’ve got big money and a love of gambling, you can usually count on betting big. Naturally, the wealthiest in our society (aka Hollywood A-listers) love a good casino game. There are many, but today we’re going over our top five celebrity gamblers.

Michael Jordan

Despite the celebrity rumors that MJ doesn’t know how to tip at the poker table, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s an icon in the betting casino scene. Whether it’s sports betting or playing blackjack at the casino, legendary retired NBA star Michael Jordan loves to gamble. He’s been known to bet with teammates, visit casinos, and even wager while playing golf.

Gambling has always been a part of his life—biographies like Michael Jordan: The Life by Roland Lazenby reveal that MJ was already gambling in high school. By the time he joined the NBA, he wasn’t betting small. He played with high rollers in the Bulls camp and frequently joined beat writers for card games on road trips.

 

Matt Damon

This insanely famous actor isn’t just known for his roles in Good Will Hunting and The Martian—he’s also known for his poker skills. Damon’s love for the game started while researching his role for the 1998 thriller Rounders, which dives into the underground poker scene.

We love a method actor. He’s competed in multiple World Series of Poker (WSOP) events, including the 2010 main event. Fun fact: poker legend Doyle Brunson eliminated him from the 1998 WSOP.

Jennifer Tilly

If you’ve followed casino news over the years, you know actress Jennifer Tilly isn’t just a casual poker player—she’s a pro. And if you don’t recognize her from her iconic Texas Hold ‘Em wins, you’ve probably seen her in Child’s Play, Made in America, or Tideland.

Personally, I’ve loved Jennifer Tilly since I was a kid. My brother and I would stay up all night watching the WSOP like it was Saturday morning cartoons. My bro had Chris Ferguson, and I had my eyes on Jennifer.

In 2005, she won a WSOP bracelet, securing $158,625 in the Ladies’ No-Limit Texas Hold’em event, beating 600 other players. She “retired” in 2008—only to return two years later. As of now, she treats it more like a hobby than a career.

Ben Affleck

Any list that mentions Matt Damon’s gambling habits would be remiss not to include Ben Affleck. The Gone Girl actor has a serious penchant for gambling. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck was banned for life from the Hard Rock Casino in 2012 because security believed he was counting cards at the blackjack tables.

He’s still regularly spotted at various Las Vegas venues and reportedly dabbles in casino online games. His biggest loss? A brutal $400,000 on a single poker hand in 2001. But in 2004, he turned it around, winning $356,000 in a tournament. He even faced off against Tobey Maguire.

Tobey Maguire

Speaking of Tobey, he made our list simply because he’s reportedly won a lot from poker. According to Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist, a book by producer Houston Curtis, Maguire allegedly won between $30 million and $40 million playing poker in just three years.

However, there are allegations that he’s a terrible tipper and, well, kind of a jerk. But hey, gambling is stressful. Between lawsuits and controversies, it doesn’t seem like he gambles anymore, but his winnings were legendary while they lasted.

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