Gambling has been a form of entertainment for centuries. Casinos are popular with those looking for an adrenaline rush, playing games in venues that offer both luxury and glamour. Many famous musicians enjoy gambling, many earning enough to be a high roller in the free time between writing, recording or touring.
More recently, online casinos have made gaming accessible to musicians whilst they are on the road. It is possible to play baccarat live casino from a mobile device that immerses players in the ambience of a casino whether they are playing from the comfort of home or on a commute to work. From poker to slots here are some famous musicians who love to gamble.
Lemmy Kilmister
Although Lemmy died in 2015 at the age of 70, the bassist and frontman of Motorhead lives on through his music and his reputation as a massive gambling fan and party animal. Lemmy not only enjoyed card games at the casino, immortalised in the group’s song Ace of Spades which went on to be Motorhead’s greatest hit, he also loved to play slot machines.
P Diddy
Globally famous for his own music and for launching the careers of the late Notorious BIG, Mase, and many through Bad Boy Records, the New York City rapper and songwriter P Diddy is also a skilled Blackjack player. He has taken on an ambassadorial role for Blackjack and is often invited to casino events and launches. P Diddy reportedly plays Blackjack tables in his dressing room before getting up on stage.
Scott Ian
Rising to fame as a guitarist for trash metal band Anthrax, Scott Ian initially decided to focus on music rather than a career as a professional poker player. Having learning poker at a young age, Ian used to play poker on the tour bus in the 1980s. He has since become more famous as a celebrity poker but is able to support his dual career thanks to smartphones and fast internet which means he can play on the go, in between concerts.
Sully Erna
Salvatore “Sully” Erna is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the heavy metal band Godsmack. He also loves to play poker, which he does at a professional level. He has played in the World Series of Poker, as well as the VH1 Celebrity Rock and Roll Tournament where he was defeated by Scott Ian. His best win was at the 2007 Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic, Las Vegas in which he took second place and won USD307,325.
Nelly
Rap star and Grammy award winner Nelly is not just a singer and songwriter, he is also a major poker player, an actor, an investor and an entrepreneur. In 2007, Nelly played the main event at the World Series of Poker and has travelled across the globe to take part in major poker events on the circuit, including The PokerStars European Poker Tour and PokerStars Caribbean Adventure.
Gladys Knight
Empress of Soul Gladys Knight revealed her love of sports betting and gambling in her autobiography. Famous for being the lead in Pipe Dream and winner of four Grammy awards, she revealed that her favourite game is Baccarat and it is reported that she once spent USD40,000 in one night on the game.
