Bruno Mars may not have a gambling debt with MGM Grand but here are 10 celebrities who love the casinos
10 celebrities who love the casinos: Brad Pitt, Pamela Anderson and others
MGM Grand has recently quashed the rumors of Bruno Mars having a $50 million gambling debt with the casino giant by labelling the rumors as "completely false". They further celebrated their mutual respect and wrote in a statement, per HuffPost, “We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers.” While Bruno Mars is not in the red, there are multiple celebrities who have made (and lost) huge fortune through gambling.
1. Brad Pitt
One of the most prominent stars of Hollywood, Brad Pitt has a penchant for gambling which he acquired while filming 'Ocean's Eleven' in 2001. Even after the completion of the film shooting, Pitt's love for the thrill and adrenaline remained. It has also been reported that the 'Bullet Train' star likes to gamble on slots, per Casino Reviews.
2. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is undoubtedly one of the most active gamers of Hollywood. While Affleck entered a rehabilitation in 2001 for his addiction of gambling and alcohol, per Ranker, he is also into placing bets of huge amount. In 2001, he suffered a massive loss of $400K on a single hand of poker. Nevertheless, in 2004, he recovered the majority of his loss after winning $356K in a poker tournament.
3. Matt Damon
Matt Damon has helmed some of the most notable movies about gambling, including 1998’s 'Rounders' and the sleek 'Ocean' series. However, Damon's love for the game is not only limited to the silver screen but also extends to his real life. While the preparation for his role in 'Rounders' made him fall in love with the adrenaline rush gambling provides, he has continued with his passion like his best friend, Ben Affleck. It is said that his first love is blackjack.
4. Tobey Maguire
During the 2004 poker tournament, where Ben Affleck won $356K, one of his most prominent opponent was the 'Spider Man' star Tobey Maguire. He has participated multiple times in the World Series of Poker Main Event and won Hollywood Park Casino event as well. 'The Great Gatsby' star was allegedly sued in 2011 because of his association with a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling ring, per Ranker.
5. Charlie Sheen
Another famous star of Hollywood with a penchant for gambling is Charlie Sheen. In 2006, the actor's ex-wife Denise Richards mentioned in her divorce filing that Sheen lost a considerable amount of money in sports betting. 'Two and a Half Men' creator Chuck Lorre once shared with Variety, per Entertainment Weekly, "I remember Charlie was very much engaged in sports betting and he would tell me stories about it all the time."
6. Ray Romano
Ray Romano has cultivated quite a reputation for being one of the most active gamblers in Hollywood and has participated in the World Series of Poker several times. He once shared that his character Joe Tranelli of 'Men of a Certain Age' was based on his personal experience.
7. Tiger Woods
The golf legend Tiger Woods is known for his love for more than one sport, the second being gambling. It is said that he has won a huge sum of money from playing his favorite blackjack.
8. Jennifer Tilly
The 'Child’s Play' actress Jennifer Tilly reportedly has had a prolific career as a poker player. The actress, who has participated in shows like 'Poker After Dark', once considered making poker her primary profession. Though she announced retirement from poker in 2008, she retracted in 2010.
9. Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson
Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, though mainly known as a rapper, has a side hustle as well for extra income. The 'In da Club' hitmaker is known for placing bets on his hometown NFL team New York Giants. In fact, it said that he won $1 million from his bet on the Giant during their Super Bowl XLVI win against New England Patriots.
10. Pamela Anderson
The 'Baywatch' star Pamela Anderson also has a great penchant for gambling. It is alleged that her 2007 marriage with Rick Salomon was to repay a $250,000 poker debt. The marriage was annulled in February 2008.
