Celebrities With Gambling Debt – The Strangest Casino Star Stories
Posted: December 18, 2025
Updated: December 18, 2025
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Rich but could be richer
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Celebrities with gambling debt
From golf legends to pop stars, the world of celebrities with gambling debt is filled with high stakes and shock. Discover how your favorite icons managed to lose and win back their fortunes.
The world of celebrities with gambling debt reveals that even the most famous icons are human. Because they seek a rush, many stars find themselves in deep financial holes they never expected. However, these stories often end with a lesson about the importance of setting clear boundaries. Consequently, we see that fame and fortune do not always protect someone from the risks of the game.
Large bank accounts can disappear quickly when a habit turns into a crisis. Therefore, we see famous names linked to massive IOUs and legal battles over unpaid markers. The following sections detail how some of the biggest icons faced their financial demons. Register at any of the online casino sites in the US to play with self-regulating options!
Phil Mickelson – Celebrities With Gambling Debt
Phil Mickelson remains one of the greatest legends in the history of professional golf. However, his career often shares the spotlight with his notorious reputation for placing massive wagers. Phil Mickelson’s biggest bets go from $1 to $1 million. He had a problem, which also involved debt. For example, his long-term caddie eventually left after a series of disputes regarding back pay. Mickelson often placed bets on various sports, ranging from football to basketball and baseball.
Consequently, these habits placed a significant strain on his earnings despite his massive tournament winnings. Because he was an elite athlete, he likely believed he could always out-earn his losses. However, the sheer volume of his debt eventually required a major career shift to fix. Many fans view his story as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked competition. He successfully navigated the crisis, but the shadow of his debt lingers over his legacy. Register at VAVE Casino to play games with self-set limits!
Pamela Anderson
A much different case among the celebrities with gambling debt. Pamela Anderson became a global icon during the 1990s as the star of Baywatch. However, her personal life often featured headlines that were just as dramatic as her shows. One of the most bizarre stories involves her relationship with professional poker player Rick Salomon. According to Cleveland 19, Pamela Anderson married her former husband, Rick Salomon, to cover her poker debt to him. Obviously, it was more like a smooth dating proposal from Solomon, rather than an actual financial abuse. However, she still married him to cover the debt. The fact that she didn’t have to is just another layer of the story.
The union did not last long because the couple filed for an annulment shortly after. Therefore, the “poker debt marriage” became a permanent piece of Hollywood lore and trivia. Because she is a resilient woman, Anderson moved past the scandal with her dignity intact. However, the story highlights how gambling can bleed into the personal lives of celebrities. She did not actually have to marry him to solve the financial problem. Thus, the choice to do so adds a strange layer of mystery to her history.
Almost: Drake – Celebrities With Gambling Debt
Drake is currently one of the most successful music artists on the entire planet. Drake’s gambling history revolves around his partnership. Thus, it isn’t really a debt. However, if the bets he placed were to be out of partnership, it could be called a debt. He lost significant amounts of money. However, on his level? The money isn’t that significant. He frequently shares screenshots of multi-million dollar bets on major sporting events and fights. Because he often loses these bets, the internet created the “Drake Curse” to mock him. However, the financial impact on his personal bank account is likely minimal due to his deal.
Thus, while he technically loses millions, he is likely playing with house money or credit. This distinction is important because it separates his behavior from a typical gambling addiction. Because he is a global brand, his gambling serves as a form of high-stakes content. Despite the partnership, the sheer numbers involved are enough to make anyone feel dizzy. Because he bets such large amounts, he remains a central figure in the gambling conversation.
John Daly
He is likely the coldest among the celebrities with gambling debt. John Daly is famous for his “grip it and rip it” style on the golf course. However, his life off the green has been defined by a series of intense struggles. Because he lived a wild lifestyle, Daly frequently found himself at the casino for days. He admitted in his autobiography that his total lifetime losses exceeded $55 million over decades. According to Southwood Golf, John Daly lost $1.65 million after playing five hours of casino games. Thus, he went to a casino in Las Vegas to blow off some steam.
He reportedly spent the entire night playing high-stakes slot machines with $5,000 per spin. Consequently, he burned through his entire tournament paycheck and then some in record time. Because he was so focused on the machines, he didn’t realize the extent of the damage. Daly eventually had to face the reality of his mounting debts and lifestyle choices. Therefore, he began the long process of cleaning up his act and managing his money. Because he is so honest about his flaws, fans continue to support him today. However, he lost a significant portion of his career earnings to various gaming tables.
Michael Jordan – Celebrities With Gambling Debt
Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest basketball player to ever lace up sneakers. According to SCMP, Michael Jordan was in a lot of trouble due to gambling debt. Because he needed to win at everything, he often engaged in high-stakes gambling sessions. Reports from the 1990s suggest that Jordan faced significant trouble due to his private betting. Therefore, his gambling became a major talking point during his prime years in the NBA. One businessman named Richard Esquinas claimed that Jordan owed him over $1.2 million from golf.
Because the two played high-stakes rounds, the debt allegedly spiraled out of control very quickly. Thus, Jordan had to negotiate the amount down to a few hundred thousand dollars. Consequently, the NBA launched an investigation into his activities to ensure the integrity of the game. Because his father was tragically murdered during this era, conspiracy theories began to emerge. However, no evidence ever linked his gambling debts to the tragedy involving his father.
Allegedly: Bruno Mars
He might not even be among the celebrities with gambling debt. Rumors about Bruno Mars’s debt to BetMGM were circulating on the internet a year ago. Due to his lifelong Vegas residency, many people theorize that he does it to cover his debts. However, people with common sense argue that he just enjoys a fat paycheck without having to travel around the world. Because he has a sense of humor, Mars even joked about the rumors during his shows. Consequently, the story has become more of a funny anecdote than a serious financial scandal.
People with common sense realize that a superstar of his caliber is a massive asset. Therefore, MGM would likely want him there regardless of his personal hobbies or gaming habits. Because he continues to sell out shows, his partnership remains mutually beneficial for both parties. Thus, the idea of him being “owned” by the casino lacks any real credible evidence. He remains one of the highest-paid entertainers in the world today with no signs of stopping. Consequently, the rumors of his debt have mostly faded into the background of his success. Register at VAVE Casino to play the classiest games!