The Most Famous Players of Men's Basketball Who Love Gambling
The notion that betting is only for people who need money or do not have class is nothing but a fallacy when you consider the number of personalities that gamble. Anyone can enjoy gambling, and it is not just because of the cash involved as popular people also try their luck when in all actuality they are neither in debt nor need the money for something pressing.
For most people, playing casino games and other money bets is an art, and even some famous NBA players share this sentiment. The major form of betting in high-profile celebrities and personalities is casino staking. It is not uncommon to run into more popular NBA players in the luxury casino resorts at Atlantic City and Las Vegas if you could afford it.
While it was evident that many NBA stars do hit on the slots and at the card tables, you may be surprised that even the most popular ones you could even admire are also part of the bandwagon. Fair enough, some of them have not been so lucky, while a number of them are considered sharks in the industry due to their high stake and returns.
So here, you will get to know the stars that top the ranks of NBA Athletes who love to bet.
Michael Jordan
You recognize him as the greatest basketball player and the first star in the sport to have an accumulated Net worth of over a billion dollars. So, then why does he gamble? The thrill. And the luxury to lose cash does not pull down all his worth. Michael Jordan has shown just as much zeal in front of a poker table as he did in the basket court during his playing days.
It will, however, be fair to say that superman has not found as much luck in the Luck-dependent nature of betting. Rumors circulating in the media have often claimed that Jordan has lost over a million dollars trying to be on the victorious side of gambling.
The good thing about his situation is that he has a whopping net worth to his name thanks to his Career and sports gear collaboration, so losing a few doughs in Las Vegas won't do much when put into perspective.
Jordan has visited some of the biggest luxury betting resorts all over America and is a big time table game fan. Whether the NBA legend loves digital gaming like online casinos is one thing that has not been easily pointed out yet. But here you are, you can definitely try games from one of the best in this field, All Slots Casino NZ, and maybe you will become a successful player.
In summary, Jordan is one of the major players known to gamble, and things are not likely to change anytime soon, including meeting the million mark when gambling.
Charles Oakley
Oakley may be considered a legendary basketball player following his career playing the game, but that is not the only place where he has an excellent pedigree. Oakley is also a legendary gambling genius and has so much joy with the success he has been picking playing casino games with friends and celebrity poker tournaments. This is not to say that the NBA legend has not had some losses, but his successes trump his disappointment. Is it all hype and exaggeration? It will be challenging to say when the man himself always prides in his luck to get gambling, right?
There could also be a level of truth to the claims flying around following a confrontation that the man had with Tyrone Hill, a P. Sixers Player. The latter had lost a bet against Oakley and, for some reason, had failed to honour the deal. This left the former enraged. Things escalated in a training session at a particular point, with Oakley angrily striking a flurry of balls against Hill.
Oakley received a fine from the management for inappropriate behavior and was fined $10,000. Hill eventually paid his gambling debts after the ugly episode. Oakley is considered among the NBA legends that could have won up to a million playing.
Charles Barkley
Barkley is a legendary NBA player, one of the best forward players, and a very good friend of Michael Jordan. If that sends a message on him being a high-end gambler that loves casino games, then you are right. The star loves to gamble so much that he easily joins the lists of the world's most prominent betting athletes. Apart from the fact that he loves gambling money so much, he only spins and competes at high-end events. It is almost impossible to find the man in an average casino, and his testament to that fact was revealed in a confession at one time.
The electrifying forward once confessed that he had parted ways with as much as 10 million dollars in Vegas alone. He is out of the mess now and still plays casino games at luxury casinos. However, he is now known to stake money consciously and may be considered one of the more careful NBA players on this list.
J.R Smith
J.R smith will pretty much stand out as one of the most notorious NBA gamblers that nobody would have ever spotted out if a robbery at his mansion never occurred. The former L.A star was known for his extremely entertaining personality at the courts that not many people he gambled. After Smith lost $15,000 to the robbers, he revealed to the Police that the money was what he used for gambling. The confession left more than a few surprised as most did not consider him a major game lover, much more a cash gaming lover.
Shawn Marion
NBA star Marion loves to bet, and the man who is highly admired for his Shawn Marion foundation that helps kids get scholarships does not hide this part of himself. He is known for participating in several world poker tournaments and playing poker games at luxury resorts. Marion has stated that he has experienced the beautiful and ugly side of his journey but reiterated that he is a wagering fan and won't be stopping soon.
Conclusion
The most popular casinos in the world have graced some of the very best basketball personalities in the history of the sport. Even honorable mentions like Antoine Walker, who was not part of this list, have been spotted a number of times on resort grounds spinning away at the best slots. Antoine Walker still spends time in casinos and may overtake any of the players here.
Generally, basketball star gambling does not reduce their ranks or public appeal as the process itself is an art that dates as far back as the medieval era. The only lesson that you may want to pick from their wagering style is not to put in as much as they do if you do not have the financial capacity or the luxury to lose significant bundles of hard-earned money.