Sports personalities all have a few things in common. One is a desire for thrill and excitement. Some of these athletes are satisfied with the thrill they get on the field or court. But some take it a bit further and seek this thrill outside sports. Another thing sports personalities have in common is their love for a good competition and winning.
With these traits and the cash reserves some of these personalities have it is not strange that we find some of them in the bright lights and buzzing tables of the casino. These personalities, usually mega-stars, continue to display their ability to survive in the adrenalized world of traditional and online casino play. Here are a few of your favorite sports personalities that you will find enjoying casino games.
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Floyd Mayweather JR
Floyd Mayweather JR is a successful boxer and entertainer. Although he has retired from professional boxing, he remains active through high-profile exhibition matches. Additionally, Mayweather continues to promote boxing and mentor rising talent like Curmel Moton, a promising lightweight prospect.
During his extremely successful boxing career, he made an impressive fortune. Now when he isn’t taking part in exhibition games or mentoring promising boxers, he can be found at the casino where he has shown a fondness for blackjack, poker, and betting on sports.
Shaquille O’Neal
More commonly known as NBA Star Shaq, Shaquille O’Neal is another popular sports personality who has a flair for casino games and sports betting. He has made quite a name for himself in the history of basketball. During his time outside the court, he managed to create an unforgettable presence at casino tables across the United States.
He does not hide his love for gambling and has been known to boast about his huge wins and equally huge losses on international television. He once lost $200,000 in one-night playing casino games. He also generated quite a buzz when he wagered $1 million in a single MMA bout.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is synonymous with golf. He has carved his name in the Golf Hall of Fame, and will forever be mentioned whenever a discussion about the sport comes up. However, aside from his golf legend status, Tiger Woods has been known to visit casinos whenever he has a bit of free time.
Not much is known about Woods’ favorite casino games but fans have commented that they have seen him at blackjack and poker tables.
Christiano Ronaldo
Christiano Ronaldo, arguably the most famous sports personality in the world, is also quite popular around casino tables. While the fortune he has made from playing soccer cushions any loss he might generate, Christiano uses the same focus and discipline he uses on the pitch at the poker table.
Cristiano Ronaldo is known for maintaining a professional public image, including his relationship with gambling. Unlike some athletes whose gambling habits have drawn significant media attention, Ronaldo’s involvement appears to be more subdued and carefully managed. His interest reportedly includes traditional casino games and poker, which align with his competitive nature.
Wayne Rooney
Another football player who has made a name for himself around casino tables. However, he hasn’t been quite as lucky as his more popular counterpart. Throughout his career, he frequented casinos and engaged in sports betting, leading to significant financial losses. He has also been a part of several gambling controversies.
Despite these controversies, Rooney has been open about his struggles with gambling, acknowledging it as a problem at certain points in his life. His experiences show the complex relationship people tend to have with gambling.
Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian and has created records that only he has managed to break. He is a yardstick for measuring the capabilities of new entrants to the Olympic games.
A major reason Michael Phelps enjoys swimming is that it forces him to be in the moment. He says the same for gambling. Michael Phelps’ gambling hobby is to him a social experience. He described it as getting together with friends from high school, but the new cards he is dealt and each new game he plays make gambling an interesting pastime.
Michael Jordan
Another prolific basketballer makes his way onto this list. Michael Jordan’s gambling habits are not as popular as his legendary basketball career, but it has drawn significant public attention. A competitive nature that fueled his success on the court also extended to his gambling activities. Jordan has been involved in high-stakes betting on various games, including golf and blackjack, and even friendly competitions with teammates, such as betting on which luggage would appear first on a conveyor belt.
He has faced several controversies, including unfounded rumors that his brief retirement in 1993 was linked to secret disciplinary action over gambling issues. Despite these controversies, Michael Jordan has maintained that his gambling is a hobby, not a problem.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is best known for his remarkable achievements on the tennis court, but he also enjoys the strategic challenges of poker. His interest in the game began casually with friends in Mallorca and eventually led to professional pursuits. In 2012, Nadal became a PokerStars ambassador, participating in online and live tournaments.
Nowadays, when Nadal is not making waves on the tennis court, he can be found enjoying casino games in Monte Carlo, a hotspot for high-profile gambling. Despite his involvement, Nadal approaches gambling as a recreational activity.
Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley retired from the Houston Rockets after an extensive NBA career. He is regarded by many as the greatest NBA power forward of all time and has always talked about his great love for basketball.
However, Barkley had another great love: Casino gambling. In his book, I May Be Wrong But I Doubt It, he stated that the games were just a fun way to unwind from the pressures basketball put on him. He has also been candid about his gambling habits, admitting to significant financial losses over the years. At his peak, he often gambled with high stakes, including losing $2.5 million in just a few hours. Barkley estimates his total losses from gambling to be around $30 million. Despite acknowledging the habit as “stupid,” he has maintained that it never impacted his financial stability due to his wealth.
