Celebrities who love to gamble – and how they're making online casinos more popular than ever

When you think about Hollywood's A-list stars, you may see yourself thinking of private jets, designer clothing, and red carpets. But poker chips, high-stakes wagers, and virtual casinos? You bet. Turns out several A-list celebrities have a gambling habit – and their love of the game is keeping online casinos on fire like never before. Operators like Betway casinos are experiencing a great interest from gamblers all over the world, who are looking for a platform with the perfect mix of sports betting and online casino games. Betway casinos are both available on the web and on the app, and from here, gamblers can find sport expert information, predictions and statistics, and a great variety of online casino games. This makes it possible for any celebrity fan to join the online casino world through Betway casinos, and follow the footsteps of some of these celebrities.

Celebrities who can't say no to a wager

Some celebrities take betting just as seriously as their actual career. Take Ben Affleck, for example. The guy doesn't play poker as a pastime – he's actually pretty good at it. So good, in fact, that he won the California State Poker Championship in 2004 and walked away with a six-figure check. And while he's had his fair share of headlines about blackjack and casino bans (yes, he was reportedly too good at counting cards), his passion for gambling cannot be denied.

And then there's Tobey Maguire, aka Spider-Man, who stunned everyone by being part of those infamous Hollywood underground poker games. The ones that spawned the movie Molly's Game? Maguire allegedly raked in millions playing these high-stakes poker games with fellow celebrities and Wall Street moguls. His skills at the table made him as much of a legend in the world of games as he is in Hollywood.

Another one on the list is Michael Jordan. The basketball icon is perhaps the most competitive man on earth, and that competitive nature extends way beyond the court. He's been known to bet on golf tournaments, to poker games, with some reporting that he lost millions one evening. Whether true or not, one thing's for sure – MJ loves making big bets.

The shift to online gambling

While some stars are still married to the shine of the brick-and-mortar physical casino, others have made the complete leap. Online gambling is on the rise, and celebrities are leading the charge. One of the biggest names in the game? Drake. The Canadian rapper has made no question that he's a big fan of online betting. He streams his bets on a regular basis on sites such as Stake, where he makes staggering bets on sports, roulette, and other games. And with his huge following, it is no wonder that fans are doing the same.

Jay-Z also forayed into the domain of online gambling – but in high fashion, he's doing it as a business investment. He co-founded and opened up sportsbook platforms and even hosted a $250,000 blackjack tournament to promote Fanatics Sportsbook. When one of the titans of the music and business worlds recommends a gambling platform, you know that it is going mainstream.

How celebrities are making online gambling trendy

Let's face it – when famous people who are everyone's favorites bet big and win big, gambling becomes that much more enticing. The influence of Hollywood gamblers has contributed to the popularization of online sportsbooks and casinos, especially among young crowds who might not have considered it otherwise. And it's not only watching them play – numerous of these stars actually sponsor gambling websites with their endorsement and branding partnerships.

Consider, for example, online casinos that have just launched celebrity-themed slot machines. You can play games like Ronaldinho Spins, celebrating the Brazilian football legend. These games provide fans with the thrill of being in the world of their idols – with the added potential of winning cash in the process.

The flip side of celebrity gambling

Naturally, not all celebrity gambling tales have happy endings. While some stars merely utilize it as a form of recreation, others have struggled with addiction. Dean Sturridge, a former professional soccer player, has been very candid about how his gambling habit started early in life and persisted throughout his career as a player. His story serves as a reminder that gambling, especially at high stakes, can be risky if indulged in irresponsibly.

Even big wins can come with unexpected downsides. Just ask Scott Richter, a gambling influencer who won a $1 million jackpot. You'd think that would be a dream come true, but according to him, it made dating way harder – apparently, women were more interested in his money than in him. Winning big can bring fame and fortune, but it also brings challenges most people don't consider.

Gambling responsibly in the digital age

With sports betting and online casinos more popular than ever, partly due to celebrity influence, recall that gambling is supposed to be entertainment, not a financial plan. The majority of the celebrities who gamble do it as entertainment, and that's the best approach.

So if you're feeling inspired to place a bet or try out an online casino, take a page out of the playbook of smart gamblers – set limits, know when to walk away, and most importantly, enjoy the game for what it is: a thrilling, high-stakes form of entertainment.