Top 10 NBA Players Who Like to Gamble: From High-Stakes Tables to Legendary Bets
By Edcel Panganiban April 24, 2025 10:16
Gambling and the NBA have a fascinatingly long-standing relationship. For most basketball stars, the thrill of competition doesn't end with the final buzzer—it spreads to casino floors, poker tables, and sometimes ill-advised wagers. Take a peek at ten NBA stars, past and present, whose love affair with gambling is as famous as their on-court exploits.
1. Michael Jordan
Few names are more synonymous with NBA gambling than Michael Jordan. His on-court competitive fire spilled over far beyond the hardwood, fueling high-stakes golf tournaments, casino parties, and infamous side bets with teammates. Jordan's own gambling problem was so mythic that it became a subplot of "The Last Dance," with stories of all-night poker binges and six-figure wagers. "My mindset was to go out and win at all costs," Jordan once said—a mantra that worked for him just as well at the blackjack table.
2. Charles Barkley
Barkley's betting addiction is just as famous as his Hall of Fame career in playing. He has openly admitted losing millions in casinos, from poker to blackjack to betting on sports. "I just like to play," Barkley has replied, waves off losses that would give others the shivers. At one point, Barkley said he wouldn't leave the casino until he'd either won or lost a million dollars—a behavior which got him into the habit of eventually slowing his play down, but never gaining less of an appetite for risk.
3. Allen Iverson
Iverson's poker exploits are the stuff of NBA lore. With his loose method of playing on the court, he applied the same whimsical abandon in casinos, playing more by instinct at the table than method. Iverson's casino antics—such as throwing cards at dealers or being banned for having too much trouble on his own—is thoroughly documented, and his love of deep-stakes play occasionally landed him in trouble away from the court.
4. Antoine Walker
A 2006 NBA champion, Walker's life after playing has been plagued by gambling problems. He reportedly lost millions, including being in debt for $770,000 at Caesars Palace, which resulted in his bankruptcy. Walker's is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of high-stakes betting, but he's returned with a vengeance as a basketball analyst, talking openly of his experiences and what was learned from his gambling days.
5. JR Smith
Smith, a two-time NBA champion, is notorious for his rough play and casino game devotion. He has been spotted at Las Vegas tables and has a reputation for having an uncanny knack for winning without the assistance of bonuses or luck. Smith's competitiveness and determination make him a powerhouse at any table, mimicking his style in critical moments on the court.
6. Dennis Rodman
Rodman's eccentric personality extended to his betting habits. He would go to Las Vegas casinos during his playing career and was a common visitor at high-stakes tables. Rodman's love for risk and uncertainty made him a born bettor, and his stories—like sneaking away to Vegas during the NBA Finals—are nowadays basketball folklore.
7. Scottie Pippen
While not as well-known as Jordan or Rodman, Pippen too lived the casino life. The Bulls icon supposedly joined his teammates for nights of betting, though he was more reserved. Pippen's intense competitiveness kept him at the tables, especially during the Chicago dynasty years.
8. Gilbert Arenas
Arenas is infamous among poker players for his habit of going "all-in" with big stacks of cash. He's been known to win hundreds of thousands of dollars in a night and was regularly spotted in illegal games with other NBA players. Arenas' gaming style—brazen, flashy, and sometimes irresponsible—mirrored his on-court persona.
9. Seth Curry
Best recognized for his precision on the court, Curry brings the same level of intensity to casino gaming, online and live wagering. To Curry, it is all about having fun and testing himself, and he's never been afraid to say that he enjoys the casino experience.
10. Isaiah Thomas
A Hall of Famer with a flair for high-rolling bets, Thomas was often involved in games that attracted FBI attention. His gambling escapades add another layer to his complex basketball legacy, proving that the thrill of competition never truly abates for the greats.
The Competitive Edge
To these NBA legends, gambling is not just a sport—it's a continuation of the fierce focus that brought them to the top. Their stories are both inspiring and ominous, reminding spectators that the line between hazard and reward is as slim off the court as it is on.
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