Which NBA Players Are The Biggest Gamblers? Some Of These Names Will Shock You!

Professional sports stars are no strangers to placing a bet – but there’s a selection of NBA players over the last few decades who are partial to a casino game or a sports bet or two. We’re going to explore a list of the top NBA players who enjoy playing a host of casino games, be it poker or roulette, and those who prefer sports betting – and you might be surprised by some of the names we unveil today.

Casino Gaming & NBA Icons – An Intriguing Combination

In 2024, casino gaming is something that predominantly takes place online. Given that there’s now such a range of online casinos that use welcome bonuses and promotions to entice prospective new customers, many NBA stars of yesteryear may have made the leap from land-based casinos to digital platforms instead.

The top digital sites can offer the same games and use advertising techniques to get punters on board. The newest iGaming provider rating in 2024 gives critical insight into which of these new names are making a name for themselves amongst such intense competition. Although land-based casinos may still be the destination for ex-NBA stars who like to gamble, online casinos are providing stiffer competition, offering many high-roller and VIP bonuses for the big spenders—which is the bracket ex-NBA bettors fall into.

Iconic NBA Names Who Enjoy Betting

Some of the greatest ever basketball players in NBA history have been spotted in casinos or have admitted to being partial to a casino game, including:

• Allen Iverson
• Michael Jordan
• Charles Barkley

As you can see, we’re not scraping the barrel with these names – they’re bonafide legends and the true definition of high-rollers.

“Do I like playing blackjack? Yeah” – Michael Jordan.

Chicago Bulls Legends & Gambling

Michael Jordan’s love for gambling is well-known; during his playing career, he often made side bets with his teammates on any event or outcome. Following the incredible success of Netflix’s The Last Dance, the spotlight shone on the eccentricity, tenacity, and sheer will to win that permeated one of the greatest teams the NBA has ever seen.

Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippen, and Michael Jordan were the spine of the said team – and all three have a love for gambling. Rodman and Jordan have been spotted in several Las Vegas casinos since their playing days, and Scottie Pippen, to a lesser extent, is also a casino gaming fan.

Michael Jordan became the first billionaire NBA player – with a range of huge endorsements- becoming one of the most prominent crossover American sports stars of the 20th century. His love for gambling, especially card-based casino games like blackjack and poker, helped propel these games’ popularity to new pastures – particularly in the US.

Fact: Although both have been fixed features of casino gaming for centuries, the fact that a global, successful megastar like Jordan became such a notable high-roller really helped casino gaming remain relevant and in the public eye/domain.

Other NBA Icons With A Love For A Wager

It’s not just the title-winning Chicago Bulls team that achieved global fame back in the 1990s that is littered with famous names who love gambling. As we touched on briefly, the iconic talent of Allen Iverson was another name that took the NBA by storm, and he has talked extensively in the past about his enjoyment of placing wagers and casino gaming. Other All-Stars of their time who like to place a punt from time to time include Antoine Walker, Shaquille O’Neal, and Charles Oakley.

Summary

As you can see, there are a considerable number of NBA stars who like to place a bet. Many of these names we’ve touched on today are amongst the greatest players the game has seen. However, they vary in range—with some players only placing a few wagers every now and again, to the likes of Michael Jordan, who is renowned for hosting and playing in poker tournaments, both for enjoyment and for charity. However, also a notorious serial winning mentality which bleeds into his gambling style too.

My mentality was to go out and win at any cost. If you don’t want to live that regimented mentality, then you don’t need to be alongside of me

Michael Jordan, The Last Dance

With the rise of digital casino gaming and American regulation becoming even looser than in the 1990s and 2000s, expect to see a number of other big stars become high-rollers or express an interest in sports betting and casino gaming.