How synchronization changed technology forever
Tiger Woods joins Phil Mickelson in the ranks of pro golfers rumored to have a gambling problem.
Sources suggest that his problem caused him to be banned from casinos in Detroit. He is also believed to struggle with alcohol addiction.
He is also, unfortunately, known for his gambling habit, and over the years rumors have circulated that could be described as Mickelson having near legendary status when it comes to gambling.
Pro golfer Phil Mickelson is known for a number of things, not least for being a title-winning golfer with a left-handed swing.
At the same time as he was embroiled in an infidelity scandal back in 2010, rumors circulated that Woods would play at high stakes blackjack tables and bet US$250,000 per hand.
Sources: (Ranker) (The Hollywood Reporter) (TMZ)
See also: Movies that deal with gambling
In 2007 Pamela Anderson gave viewers of the 'Ellen DeGeneres Show' an insight into her relationship with poker.
Allen Iverson is another former professional basketball player who appears to have a bit of a problem with gambling.
She told the talk show host that she had made a deal with poker pro Rick Salomon (whom she would later marry) to pay off a US$250,000 debt with sexual favors.
When former NBA star Michael Jordan's career came to an end in 2013, there were rumors that it was because of a gambling addiction.
He also starred across from Edward Norton in what is now considered one of the best poker movies of all time: 'Rounders' (1998).
Indeed, MJ had been seen out gambling and in 2005 he told Ed Bradley of '60 Minutes' that he had made some reckless decisions.
Comedian and actor Ray Romano gave an interview in 2011, before the World Series of Poker, in which he admitted to a betting problem.
He was one of a number of celebrities, who also included Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Affleck, who competed in Molly Bloom's high-stakes games at The Viper Room in the 2000s.
As previously mentioned, Matt Damon was in the ring at The Viper Room. He has a very public relationship with the game of poker.
In the late 1980s, following a particularly bad loss, Knight joined Gamblers Anonymous and managed to kick the habit. She wrote about it in her autobiography.
Whether Tobey Maguire's penchant for poker can be described as a problem is up for debate, but we do know he is partial to a high stakes game.
He described how his real life experience had helped him to play a compulsive gambler in the TV series 'Men of a Certain Age.' He joined Gamblers Anonymous to kick the habit.
Singer Gladys Knight, who is known to many as the Empress of Soul, suffered for nearly ten years from a gambling addiction to the game baccarat.
When Charlie Sheen and ex-wife Denise Richards were in the middle of their divorce, she gave a sworn statement in which she referred to Sheen's gambling problem.
Former NBA star Charles Barkley is known to be a compulsive gambler. In 2007 he told an ESPN interviewer that he had lost approximately US$10 million to his habit.
According to those close to him, Phelps had a gambling problem so bad that they were worried he could "squander millions away."
The 'Two and a Half Men' actor apparently placed sports bets every day, had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and would have violent mood swings when he lost.
In May 2008 the Wynn Las Vegas casino filed a complaint about Barkley for failing to pay a US$400,000 debt. After that Barkley said he'd give the gambling a break.
The actress found a huge amount of success as a poker player and has been described as "one of the leading celebrity poker players."
Not so much gambling addict as professional poker player, actress Shannon Elizabeth, who is best known for her role in the 'American Pie' franchise, found a second career in the game.
In 2012 there were rumors that decorated Olympian Michael Phelps had a problem with gambling. Rumors were started when friends professed to be worried about him.
Actor Ben Affleck has been known to gamble professionally, even qualifying for the 2004 World Poker Tour final tournament. He has always denied addiction, however.
But in 2014, Affleck was banned from playing blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, among suspicions that he was using the frowned upon technique of counting cards.
In 2011 Nelly's former manager, Slim, blasted the rapper in the media, claiming that he had lost all his money to gambling and that he was abusing drugs.
Nelly refuted the claims and they were never proven true. He was in the media again in 2020, though, this time for ranting at a pit boss inside a casino.
When it comes to life-ruining addictions, we tend to think of alcohol and drugs. We often forget about non-substance related addictions, such as addiction to gambling.
Of course, there are many people who can gamble without developing any addiction. Unfortunately, however, there are many others, celebrities included, who cannot gamble safely.
Check out this gallery to find out which celebs struggle with a gambling addiction.
Celebs who have a gambling problem
The stars allegedly playing with this behavioral addiction
CELEBRITY Betting
When it comes to life-ruining addictions, we tend to think of alcohol and drugs. We often forget about non-substance related addictions, such as addiction to gambling.
Of course, there are many people who can gamble without developing any addiction. Unfortunately, however, there are many others, celebrities included, who cannot gamble safely.
Check out this gallery to find out which celebs struggle with a gambling addiction.