Pro Athletes and Hollywood Celebrities Who Play Casino Games

by Bodog Casino | Nov 21 2008

Isn’t it cool when we find out celebrities are just like us? Whether it’s MTV Cribs or some slapped together reality show, we peeps love to see celebs put on their pants one leg at time. Why? It proves to us that maybe if we stopped watching Seinfeld reruns all day we could be doing that over-the-shoulder pose on the red carpet just like them.

For that reason we’ve decided to spill the beans on which stars in sports, politics and film love to gamble with their cash just like us… although the margins are slightly different.

Michael Jordan, Retired Pro Athlete
There are a billion positive adjectives to describe Michael Jordan: athletic, clutch, Jesus-like (is that an adjective?). But most of all everyone who knows him says he’s ultra competitive, and that’s not just on the basketball court. Jordan has wagered millions on Craps and Blackjack and numerous casinos across America to stir his competitive juices. Years ago he supposedly turned $500,000 into $800,000 playing Blackjack during a hot streak at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Darn it anyway Jordan, do you ever lose?

Charles Barkley, Retired Pro Athlete
Could Barkley be the world’s most recognizable high-rolling gambler? We think so. Although widely recognized as an NBA legend and award-winning TNT NBA analyst, he’s become just as notorious for being one of the most unapologetic degenerate gamblers in America. Although he drops millions in Vegas yearly he claims he doesn’t have a gambling problem because: “I can afford it, so gambling isn’t a problem for me.”

The Wynn casino didn’t seem to think so; they filed a suit for $400,000 against Barkley for an unpaid gambling debt. He paid the bill shortly after and claimed to slow his play a bit.

John McCain, Senator
That’s right. “The Maverick” is a maverick in casinos. McCain’s game of choice is Craps and has been known for impulsive trips to play anywhere it’s legal. Unfortunately, as much as he loves to play the game, some say he has a short fuse when he’s rolling the dice.

John Dearth, publisher of The New Republic, told thedailybeast.com that McCain was playing at a Craps table with him in Puerto Rico and wasn’t keeping his hands above the table when the dice were thrown (it’s a rule in most casinos). When a “regular” customer attempted to reach out to pull McCain’s arm away, a maverick-sized tirade ensued. Dearth states that: “McCain immediately turned to the woman and said between clenched teeth: ‘Don’t touch me. Do you know who I am? Do you know who you’re talking to?’”

Ugh. We’d hate to be chillin’ with the McCains after the presidential election.

Bruce Willis, Actor
When he isn’t shaving his head or making Die Hard sequels supposedly Willis spends tons of time playing Blackjack. He’s been seen in Atlantic City casinos like the Borgata Hotel and Casino for hours, where he has a luxury suite. Apparently he’s definitely no amateur, as most who’ve played with him say he follows the optimal strategy.

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