Gambling has always occupied an unusual space in popular culture. It sits somewhere between entertainment, personal challenge, and public spectacle, and that mixture has drawn attention for decades. Long before the rise of modern online platforms, casinos were already tied to ideas of glamour and risk, largely because they brought together people who lived fast, traveled often, and enjoyed the heightened emotions that come with taking a chance.
With time, that image became even stronger as the entertainment industry began to highlight gambling in films, interviews, red carpet conversations, and celebrity profiles.
The shift to digital platforms introduced an entirely new dimension. It allowed players, including public figures, to enjoy games with far more privacy and convenience. Casinos became a natural fit for many high-profile individuals who preferred quick deposits, secure payments, and the ability to shift between travel schedules without interrupting their gaming habits.
Once gambling moved from exclusive private rooms in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo to phones and tablets, the audience changed, too. Actors, athletes, musicians, and influencers found it easier than ever to engage with poker tables, sports betting markets, and themed slots while staying off the public radar.
Media coverage also played a role. Whenever a celebrity placed a bold wager or appeared unexpectedly at a tournament, headlines followed. Some embraced the attention and openly shared their gaming routines, while others preferred to keep their participation quiet until a high-profile win made it impossible to avoid publicity.
Over time, fans became increasingly curious about which stars played casually, which ones studied strategies seriously, and which ones enjoyed the social aspect of the casino world more than the games themselves.
That curiosity is what shaped the modern connection between celebrity culture and gambling. The lifestyle, the stakes, and the visibility created a combination that continues to fascinate audiences.
Thanks to cinema, gambling is firmly associated with success, wealth, and fame. And this is not so far from the truth. Today, it’s no secret that many celebrities gamble, being customers of both land — based and virtual establishments, including Apple Pay casino Australia. In this article, we’ll show which stars have shone brightest with their love of gambling.
Floyd Mayweather and Sports Betting
A legend of modern boxing, an undefeated professional boxer who competed in the welterweight division, and a multiple world champion, Floyd has beaten 24 fighters in his career, earning him the title of world champion. He is one of the most significant figures in boxing, and even those who are not directly interested in the sport know his name. And yes, this star athlete is officially known for his sports betting, including at Apple Pay casinos.
Floyd regularly posts information about his own large bets on social media and is known for his love of high risks. His favourite sports are football, including the NFL, basketball (he bets on NBA games), and, less frequently, boxing itself. According to him, the appeal of risky and large bets is that, although rarely, he has won sums with 6 and 7 zeros. In bookmaking circles, he is seen as a VIP sports bettor.
Matt Damon — the Hollywood poker face
Poker is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious games in casinos that accept Apple Pay, and we know exactly which actor made it popular in the 2000s. Matt Damon, known for his films Good Will Hunting, The Martian, and Rounders, still participates in poker tournaments. He can be seen both at charity offline tables and on online platforms of various levels — he is a true enthusiast of this game.
Damon is often referred to in the media as the voice and cultural face of Hollywood poker. This is partly due to his role in the film Rounders, which he played brilliantly. Apparently inspired by the film’s script, he decided to learn more about the game and continues to practise strategies and tactics to this day. It is worth giving him credit — he does it beautifully, with the genuine prestige characteristic of luxury Apple Pay casinos online games.
Ben Affleck — strong blackjack player
Another equally popular Hollywood actor is known for his blackjack skills. Ben Affleck, star of films such as Argo, Gone Girl, Armageddon, and others, is publicly recognised as such a strong opponent that some land — based establishments still politely recommend that he not play at their establishments to avoid misunderstandings with less experienced players. And this is not without reason.
At one period, Ben spent enough time studying and testing the most popular blackjack strategies. By playing similar RNG games at casinos with Apple Pay, anyone can follow his example. The actor positions blackjack as an intellectual game with high mathematical odds and is not inclined to consider his victories as mere luck. He is also known for his passion for poker and other card games.
Paris Hilton — queen of slots
One of the most recognisable media personalities, model, reality TV star, businesswoman, and actress, Paris is a true shining star among celebrities. In her public interviews, she has repeatedly shared her impressions of modern online slots, claiming that they are incredibly exciting games. She even had her own slot, which was actively promoted in Apple Pay online casinos just a couple of years ago.
Paris plays in a casual format, appreciating the game design, bonus features and animation. At the same time, she emphasises that she does not consider such games to be anything serious, positioning them as simple entertainment (which is generally an excellent approach). The media calls her the Queen of Slots precisely because of such statements, as well as for her support of some licensed developers, for whom she has become the face of advertising campaigns.
Drake and crypto casinos
As a rule, modern real money online casinos that accept Apple Pay also accept cryptocurrency. But there are sites that are primarily focused on tokens. And the famous rapper with billions of streams, recognised as a cultural phenomenon, supports this format of gaming. He is an official partner of the Stake platform, which operates entirely on cryptocurrency, from the moment of deposit to the moment of betting and withdrawal of funds.
Drake plays almost all types of gambling games at this casino. He streams roulette, slots, crash games, sports betting, Live Tables games, and more. And all this with incredibly high stakes, so much so that some of his winnings make the news. He has become an ambassador for crypto casinos and has set a trend for such sites to collaborate with celebrities for recognition and advertising.