Being rich and famous sure sounds like a dream job, but living in the public eye is more stressful than it appears at first glance. Your favorite actor, singer, or tennis player is also human and need to let off some steam and unwind in their free time. That’s why most celebrities turn to their hobbies when they manage to get away from the paparazzi. Some go to their weekend houses in the country whereas others enjoy a night out on the town. Plus, many celebrities are passionate casino enthusiasts that love to throw dice in hope of hitting the jackpot(not that they need any extra cash).
Famous people are just like us mortals and love the thrill of the game. That’s why some of them often throw casino-themed parties where people get to dress up and mingle. If you’re wondering which celebrities are famous for being casino fans, check out the paragraphs below to see who made it to our list.
George Clooney
Apart from being one of the most charming Hollywood actors, Mr. Clooney is also known for his fondness of casinos. Playing casino games has been his passion even before he became famous. Naturally, one would think that, since he’s had a lot of time to practice, Clooney is an expert at gambling, but he’s actually rumored not to be skilled in gambling.
One time, his close friend and co-star Matt Damon had to bail him out after he had lost 25 consecutive rows in blackjack. So, it just goes to show that gambling is more of a hobby for Clooney and he doesn’t seem to take it very seriously.
Ben Affleck
Yet another famous actor with a knack for gambling. Unlike George Clooney, Ben Affleck seems to demonstrate more skill in playing blackjack. He’s, in fact, so good that a casino in Vegas had to ban him after he had won 140, 000$ playing blackjack. However, Affleck decided not to keep the money—instead, he gave the money to the casino employees. With time, he became a blackjack pro and was able to count cards without even thinking about it.
But, one has to commend him for the fact that he puts his skills to good use. He often participates in tournaments and even organizes events and donates the money he wins to charity.
Jennifer Tilly
For the majority of people on this list, casinos are nothing more but a leisure activity. But, for Jennifer Tilly, gambling is much more than that. The actress became famous for her roles in “Liar Liar” and “Hide and Seek” but she soon realized that her talents lie elsewhere. That’s when she decided to dedicate her time to playing poker after figuring out that she was really good at it.
In 2005, she participated in a Texas Hold Em’ Tournament and managed to beat all other participants. So, if you’re even in need of a poker tutorial, Jennifer Tilly is definitely the person to turn to. That win was an important milestone in Tilly’s life as she chose to pursue an actual career in playing poker and she put her acting on hold.
She often says that she enjoys the thrill of the casino and her place is at the poker table where she can show off her skills and win prizes.
Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire is best known for his role as Spiderman, but in gambling circles, he’s also known as a highly-skilled player. He often played against Ben Affleck and, although he ended up losing a big tournament against him in 2004, it didn’t stop him from becoming a professional in poker. Not only does the star participate in various tournaments in the USA, he’s also said to organize some of the most notorious casino parties in Hollywood.
If you’ve seen the film “Molly’s Game”, you should know that certain parts of the movie were inspired by Tobey Maguire’s life. His big wins and casino prizes actually served as inspiration for a successful Hollywood blockbuster.
As you can see, there are many famous celebrities who love visiting casinos and are also very good at playing certain card games. Some even decided to abandon their acting careers to pursue their talent in gambling. Not all celebrities could make our list, but the abovementioned ones are definitely some of the most well-known celebrities with a passion for gambling.