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The stars of the showbiz industry do not just light up our cinema or television screens, they also engage in an off-camera activity that seduces and fascinates them: gaming. The world of gaming is not no stranger to celebrities, whether it’s high stakes casino games, sports betting on football or horse racing, among others. Why do so many celebrities love gambling so much, despite the risk of addiction?
One of the main reasons many of our favorite celebrities love the game is the adrenaline it provides. Whether performing stunts for an upcoming blockbuster or traveling the world, many of our stars enjoy the high-stakes, high-payoff game. The game offers an exhilarating experience, different from their usual activities. The adrenaline rush is real, whether it’s waiting to discover a card in poker or seeing the roulette wheel spin.
Plus, gaming is a social activity, and celebrities love social activities. Casinos are places where famous people can network in addition to gambling. Being part of a select group of people who share a common passion can lead to lasting friendships and valuable connections, which can be very beneficial in the celebrity world. On film sets, several stars also spend their time in the best casinos.
For some celebrities, gaming isn’t just a hobby, it’s a serious passion. For example, Ben Affleck is known to be a talented blackjack and poker player. In this case, developing a skill – just as they would for a movie role or musical performance – is more important than pure luck. This challenge can be very rewarding. Our celebrities are also people with everyday lives that they need to escape from. They get the chance to be like everyone else when gambling in Singapore – apart from the amount of money they can bet.
Although the possibility of financial gain may seem enticing, celebrities are often not attracted to gambling for this reason. The biggest attraction for many of them is the game itself. In fact, many celebrities donate their winnings to charity, seeing their success as a bonus for the fun of gambling.
Iconic Celebrities Who Love Gaming
Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire is pretty open about his love of the game. The Spider-Man actor competed in the World Series of Poker in public, putting into practice strategies he learned from famous poker player Daniel Negreanu. It is interesting to know that Maguire has accumulated almost $10 million in poker winnings. The fact that the celebrity enjoys participating in clandestine games is a disadvantage. When he won large sums of money against a gambler and was later convicted of tax, wire and investment fraud, it led to legal problems. The celebrity would have had to pay $80,000 to settle her legal troubles.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck, the Batman actor, is known to be an avid poker and blackjack player. He won the California State Poker Championship in 2004. Runner, Runner, a 2013 drama about gambling, starring Affleck and Justin Timberlake. The biography of Nat Arem, an accountant and expert poker player who used statistical techniques to examine hundreds of games and expose cheating in online poker, inspired part of the film.
Matt Damon
Actor Matt Damon, a close friend of Affleck, is known to be an avid poker player recognized among notorious gamblers. The Good Will Hunting actor is known to enjoy playing Texas hold’em in luxury hotels in Las Vegas. Similarly to Affleck, Damon starred in a poker-inspired film, Rounders, a 1998 drama that explored the world of high-stakes poker behind closed doors. Damon visited New York’s underground casinos and studied under veteran gamblers to prepare for the role. He even managed to enter exclusive competitions hosted by the infamous Molly Bloom. Some accounts say he lost more than $40,000 in a single game. Damon now only plays with friends and at charity events.
Ray Romano
Actor Ray Romano rose to prominence as a middle-class family man navigating the ups and downs of suburban American life with his sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Romano became one of the highest paid actors on television, and with that came fame and wealth. Romano mainly bets online instead of regularly visiting live betting sites or casinos like he used to do. Although he jokes that it’s not really gambling, he does compete in the World Series of Poker. He is aware of his low chances of success. According to Romano, he doesn’t consider himself one of the best celebrity players. Romano has had gambling problems before.
Gambling is a form of entertainment that attracts many celebrities for various reasons. Whether it’s for the excitement of risk, the social aspect, or even the skill required, gaming remains a hobby enjoyed by many stars. With a dose of adrenaline and a touch of competition, the game continues to fascinate and entice even the biggest personalities in the entertainment industry.