When we see pictures of celebs splashed across the pages of glossy magazines, we often ponder what special stroke of luck it takes to transform someone from an ordinary person to celebrity megastar. Some of these big names were born into wealth and privilege, like Sophia Richie and the Kardashian/Jenner clan, whilst others clearly got there by having an insane amount of talent, such as Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande.
Others, it seems, simply got lucky, and there’s many an A-list actor or pop sensation whose good fortune seems to have carried over into other areas of their lives too, including gambling. So here for your enjoyment are four of the most insane and unbelievable celebrity betting stories of all time.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is an undeniably talented man. Actor, writer, and director, he also has another string to his bow that most people don’t know about: he’s a semi-professional card player. Affleck’s love affair with blackjack began more than a decade ago and has reputedly earned him somewhere in the region of $400,000 – a sum which he’s said to have donated to charity.
Sean Connery
Sean Connery is best known for playing James Bond between 1962 and 1983. With a sterling career as an actor and producer behind him, you’d think he’d have little time for his other passions, but Connery is also a talented and dedicated roulette player. The Scotsman apparently followed in his father’s footsteps, and his favourite number is reputed to be 17. According to one story, he’s said to have visited an Italian casino in 1963, whilst in the country shooting a film. After numerous losses, he eventually staked all of his chips on 17 and ended up winning a record 15 million lire.
Jennifer Lopez
Whilst the beautiful and talented Jennifer Lopez is a devoted roulette player herself and has had much success at the green table, her luck seems to be a family trait, and the real star of this particular show is her mother, Guadalupe Rodriguez, who’s a big fan of slots. For those who aren’t familiar with slots, these can be played both online and in brick-and-mortar casinos, with directory sites showcasing the dozens of different options that are out there. Visit CasinoWings, for example, and you’ll get some idea of the scope and variety of this particular form of gambling. In the case of Ms. Rodriguez, her biggest success came at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, where she’s said to have won almost $2.5 million. Good luck clearly runs in the family!
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, and he also happens to be an incredibly skilled poker player. He has shared that he first discovered his passion for Texas hold ’em in 2010, and that he now spends most of his free time playing. According to the Spaniard, he’s so good that he’s seriously considering not only entering the poker circuit when he retires, but maybe even taking part in the World Series. It seems he’s a man of many talents!
Tell us, which of these celeb gambling stories surprised you the most?