Professional athletes can often face challenges when it comes to gambling, as for the most part it’s viewed as a controversial and somewhat taboo activity by society, with some sports organisations having strict rules and regulations in place to prevent any behaviour that in their view could compromise the integrity of their respective sports.
However, when it comes to NBA players, they are generally allowed to engage in legal forms of sports betting and gambling games. While they’re understandably prohibited from wagering on their own games, they’re free to bet on other sporting events and purchase in-game tokens for real money roulette. After all, like a lot of sports people, NBA players seem to enjoy spinning the roulette wheel in their down time. And with the efficiency of digital casinos, it’s easier than ever to immerse oneself in traditional casino games online.
On the flip side, basketball is also often a popular sport to hedge bets on, maybe due to its recognition as one of the biggest sports in America, and influence worldwide.
The fast-paced, highly competitive nature of the matches makes for an exhilarating experience, and the unpredictable nature of the game means that a single player can often turn the tide in their team’s favour, adding an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings. So it makes sense that NBA players would also enjoy gambling, when they clearly enjoy the thrill of risk and reward. So which of our favourite players are known to play their hand in the world of casinos?
Shaquille O’Neal
In addition to his reputation as a legendary NBA player, Shaq has also become known for his love of gambling. With a particular fondness for casino games, he has been known to place sizable bets on occasion, such as the time he bet $1 million on a single dice roll. In fact, during a guest appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show, Shaq openly admitted that his minimum bet usually starts at $100.
Michael Jordan
While Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the most iconic basketball players of all time, his gambling pursuits have also attracted attention over the years. He is known to frequent Atlantic City casinos, where he enjoys playing high-stakes games like poker. In fact, there have been reports of him losing staggering amounts of money on occasions, such as when he allegedly dropped over $100 million on a round of golf. Despite the risks involved, Jordan’s love for the thrill of gambling remains a well-known aspect of his larger-than-life persona.
But basketball isn’t the only sport where the athletes have been known to trade the thrill of the court for the excitement of the casino table. NFL players have also been known to be quite the personalities at casinos, with big paychecks to play around with. Any of your favourites on the list?
Richard Sherman
If you aren’t familiar with Richard Sherman, where have you been? He’s a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers and has been playing in the NFL since 2011. This guy is no ordinary player, though! He’s been in the NFL Pro Bowl three times and was named to the First-team All-Pro six times.
But did you know that Richard Sherman is also a huge gambler? He loves to place big bets on various sports events like horse races, football games, and even dog fights! The craziest part? He once wagered a whopping $15,000 on an NCAA basketball game during his college days at Stanford University.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback, boasts an impressive list of accomplishments in his career. With five Super Bowl victories and two Super Bowl MVP awards, he is considered one of the greatest players in NFL history.
However, Brady is not only renowned for his achievements on the field but also his love for gambling. Over the years, he has been spotted at numerous casinos, including Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, where he celebrated his 31st birthday with loved ones. At Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort, he reportedly won a cool $600 playing blackjack during one of his visits – maybe not enough to make a difference to his bank account, but we’ll take it!
Peyton Manning
If you’re a fan of football, you’ve probably heard of Peyton Manning. He’s a retired NFL quarterback who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. But did you know that he’s also a bit of a gambler?
Peyton’s football career is pretty impressive, with two Super Bowl wins and a successful college career with the Tennessee Volunteers. But what really caught our attention is his love of poker! Apparently, he’s been playing since he was a kid and even used to beat his little brother Eli at the game.
It’s always interesting to see the hobbies and interests of our favourite athletes, and it’s cool to think that playing poker might have helped Peyton develop some strategic skills that came in handy on the football field. It’s no surprise that he’s been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.