Beneath the spotlight, celebrities have the same feelings and emotions as any other person. It is, therefore, unsurprising that they also engage in everyday leisure activities. One such activity is sports betting.
Given its ability to deliver big wins, many celebrities have become interested in the industry. Our guide explores some of the most prominent celebrity bettors.
Drake
Drake tops our list thanks to his recent activities. The Canadian is not shy about gambling and shares his experiences online. Based on recent estimates, the rapper is worth around $250 million. However, it is estimated that he has bet close to $1 billion so far.
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In terms of his recent wins, Drake won $2.34 million on 2024 Super Bowl Sunday. His winnings came after betting $1.15 million on the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers.
He placed a £113,000 bet on Israel Adesanya to defeat Jared Cannonier. This wager paid off, and he earned £750,000. An NFL accumulator saw his £240,000 bet rise to £1.67 million.
It’s worth noting that Drake’s foray into sports betting has encountered its fair share of challenges. For instance, he lost a £300,000 bet on Jake Paul's knockout of Tommy Fury.
He also lost a £1.7 million wager on Adesanya’s defeat against Alex Pereira. The rapper also saw a £837,000 bet crash after France forced the World Cup Final game into extra time.
Overall, Drake’s sports betting experiences have been mixed. He has experienced remarkable successes and failures. However, it’s unlikely that these setbacks will deter him.
Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather’s ability to place winning bets on sporting events is second to none. The professional boxer has enjoyed remarkable success in this regard. Between September and October 2014, the American won $75,000 wagering on college basketball teams. He also won $4.7 million in just one month betting on NFL teams.
Mayweather also earned $800,000 within four days of betting on the NBA and boxing. His largest win during this period came from a boxing match between Gennady Golovkin and Willy Monroe Jr.
Like most successful punters, Floyd has also lost money while betting. According to estimates, he has lost over $45 million. Mayweather has been keeping a low profile in recent times; he still has the potential to land more wins betting on his favorite sports.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson
American rapper 50 Cent is another top celebrity sports bettor. Curtis shot into the limelight after the release of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’’ in 2005. He has since expanded his professional pursuits. Now, his portfolio includes roles acting as well as an executive producer for various film and television projects.
In 2012, Curtis received a huge payout after the Giants defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs. He predicted the Giants’s victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. This result ensured he won a $1 million wager against music producer Birdman.
In 2015, 50 Cent backed Mayweather to defeat Pacquiao. He placed a $1.6 million bet and received another large payout. However, his gambling experiences have not always been positive.
In 2006, 50 Cent acknowledged in a rap verse that he had lost money betting. In that rap verse, he stated, ‘I lost money when I bet on Roy, won money when I bet on Floyd.’
Matt Lucas
English actor Matt Lucas makes this list thanks to his unique approach to sports betting. Rather than place high bets, the comedian enjoys placing smaller wagers to win modest amounts.
For example, in 2022, Lucas placed a £2 bet with 100.00 odds on two unlikely events that occurred between Arsenal and Leeds. Specifically, he wagered that Eddie Nketiah would score the first goal. He also bet that Leeds’s Luke Ayling would be sent off from the game.
Remarkably, both of these improbable outcomes came to pass, resulting in a £352 payout for Lucas’s modest £2 stake. Lucas promptly donated the £352 to a food bank supported by the Leeds United Trust. His gambling style makes him a risk-free gambler with little to lose.
Ashton Kutcher
Many celebrities view gambling as a source of entertainment. However, Ashton takes a more analytical approach. The film producer focuses heavily on data and research when selecting his bets. By applying this stance, he treats his gambling activities as a business venture.
In a 2013 interview with Esquire, Ashton revealed that he once served as a guide for "the largest national sports betting syndicate in America; For half a season, he placed wagers on their behalf. Ultimately, they won $750,000 on college football within four weeks. Ashton described the experience as enjoyable.
However, Ashton’s success was short-lived. Vegas bookies eventually learned his strategy and barred him from betting. Given his interest in sports betting, Ashton was not deterred by the ban.
Instead, in 2015, he joined forces with Unikrn, an online gambling platform. The sportsbook offers betting opportunities on sports. They also deliver betting opportunities for esports and video games.
Several other notable celebrities have become successful sports bettors. Some of them include Georgia Toffolo, Mattress Mack, Dana White, Michael Jordan, Charlie Sheen, and Bryan Williams (Birdman). All of these individuals are active sports bettors who are proud of their activities.
Conclusion
Betting on sporting events is a fun activity that provides an avenue to grab huge wins. It is enjoyed by all, including celebrities who are at the top of their industry. However, it must be done cautiously.
Most celebrities have a large financial portfolio and are thus better placed to wager higher amounts. Do not imitate their example. Remember to only bet with funds you can afford to lose. Also, be cautious about the betting sites you select to play at. Only opt to play at the top betting sites in Nigeria for your gambling needs. Doing this puts you at an advantage.
