It is common knowledge that stars just love spending their money for buying everything from enormous real estates to shiny jewels, luxury cars and vacations around the world. However, an increasing number of celebrities face various bad habits which they try to hide from the public.
And while gambling addictions has been among the most-discussed topics lately, problem gambling behaviour is not reserved only for common people. In fact, a large number of celebrities have been affected by it and have been dealing with the consequences which sometimes take them far away from the glamorous casinos and poker tournaments.
Here is a list with some of the biggest names in the show business and sports, who have been dealing with their gambling addictions:
Charlie Sheen
Uncle Charlie’s name has long been associated with a long list of vices, and gambling is actually one of them. The gambling habit of the famous actor has been rumoured for years now. The problem gambling behaviour of Sheen came to public after in 2006 his now ex-wife Denise Richards revealed that the actor had been spending approximately $200,000 on gambling every week.
Charlie Sheen has been known for playing poker on a regular basis, as well as betting on sports. He seems to have been so addicted to gambling, that Denise Richards revealed he even placed a bet over the phone while rushing for the birth of their daughter. In an interview in 2014, Sheen claimed that he had given up the bad habit, and made everyone talk about his other addictions, admitting he used to spending a lot of money on drugs.
Ben Afflek
The name of Ben Afflek is also one of the most recognisable ones when it comes to problem gamblers among celebrities. Undoubtedly, Afflek is one of the most talented Hollywood actors and script writers, but he is also known for being a passionate card player, no matter if it comes to blackjack or poker. What is more, Afflek is infamous for spending hours of playing card games in casinos, and quite often under the influence of alcohol. The situation was so serious that the actor checked himself into a rehab institution in 2001 to deal with both his gambling and alcohol addictions.
As a matter of fact, Ben Afflek has been tutored by two professional poker players – Amir Vahedi and Annie Duke. He has managed to cash in about $500,000 in live tournament winnings and is known for having high stakes cash games particularly in his liking.
Matt Damon
Just like his long-time friend Ben Afflek, Matt Damon is another celebrity taken over by gambling. What is interesting about him, is the fact that he took his leading role in Rounder’s (1998), which is still one of the most popular movies dedicated to poker ever made. He was so keen on making his character look realistic, that he actually spent $25,000 on a poker game in order to get some personal experience.
Since then, Damon has been involved in many poker games in land-based casinos. Unfortunately, he has also been involved in an illegal gambling ring that has been rumoured to have been hosted at luxurious hotels and private homes.
Tiger Woods
Apart from the fact that he is undoubtedly the most famous golf player of all times, Tiger Woods is also known for his gambling addictions. Woods has become friends with Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley, both of whom are known for being high rollers.
In fact, this was the time when the problem gambling behaviour of the golf player came to light. Since then, Tiger Woods has been known as one of the regular customers of one of the most popular high rollers clubs at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – the Mansion, where he has received a betting limit of $1 million.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan may not be as successful in gambling as he was in the game of basketball, but he is undoubtedly one of the most popular stars who have had dealing with the negative effects of problem gambling behaviour. As a matter of fact, there were some rumours that it was exactly gambling that made him quit playing professional basketball, leaving his mark in the history of the NBA.
The former basketball player has been known for his gambling passion after he publicly admitted he had lost a total of $165,00 in Atlantic City back in 1993. Since then, he has been known for actively playing poker and being a keen high roller.
Michael Phelps
And last, but not least, it seems that one of the best swimmers of all times Michael Phelps has been one of the celebrities affected by gambling addiction. Playing poker has become a favourite pastime for Phelps, who has been playing it for years now.
What makes his friends worried for him is the fact that the swimmer is known for being very competitive, and this could lead to extremely damaging consequences at the poker table.
- Author
Harry Evans
