From Red Carpets to Roulette Wheels: Six Famous Gamblers from the UK
Nothing screams “glitz and glamour” quite like the luxurious interior of your favourite casino. Thus, it is only fitting that celebrities from the UK have taken their crowd-pleasing duping and delighting skills off-camera in their spare time.
Celebrity Lifestyle and the Allure of High Stakes Gambling
It is not all too difficult to understand why the rich and famous tend to gravitate towards the card tables, betting slips and horses so often. All the exciting thrills, unbelievable wins, and designer shoulder-rubbing are naturally amplified when higher stakes are involved. Plus, with high roller casinos offering so many benefits, many UK celebrities have tried their luck over the years.
1. Joseph Jagger
Game of Choice: Roulette
The history of famous gamblers in the UK dates all the way back to the 19th century. Back then, an English textile engineer from Yorkshire, was thrust into the spotlight as “The Man Who Broke the Bank” at Monte Carlo. Joseph Jagger’s incredible ability to spot the bias of the roulette wheel at Beaux-Arts casino, depleted the casino’s reserves by over £1 million (in today’s currency). This is still regarded as the stuff of legend in many UK gambling circles, even to this day.
2. Harry Styles
Game of Choice: Roulette
Anyone with a “17 Black” tattoo is bound to be an avid gambler. Harry Styles’ love for gambling has been making waves since his boy band days. Back in 2012, when he was still a touring member of One Direction (and still below the legal gambling age) this A-list celebrity was reportedly kicked out of an Australian casino, after losing quite a bit of money on this unlucky number. Since coming of age, he’s been spotted a few times at the roulette and blackjack tables – no official word yet, on whether his game has improved.
3. Tony Bloom
Game of Choice: Poker
This well-known football club owner has been nicknamed “The Lizard” for his cold-blooded technique at the poker table. Tony Bloom has a few poker championship titles under his name.
In 2004, he bagged his first major win, taking home the first prize of around £180,000 at the Australian Poker Championship. More recently, he made a splash by winning the 2022 Poker Masters Event, bringing his total recorded winnings to over £2 million.
4. Victoria Coren Mitchell
Game of Choice: Poker
Self-proclaimed “erstwhile poker player” or not, Victoria Coren Mitchell’s contribution as one of the most famous UK gamblers, will not soon be forgotten. In 2006, Coren Mitchell made headlines when she became the first woman to win an event at the European Poker Tour. Fast forward a few years, and she made waves again, as the first player to win two main events at the 2014 European Tour.
5. Helen Chamberlain
Game of Choice: Online Poker
Helen Chamberlain may be most well-known for her role as the former Soccer AM presenter, but it turns out that she is quite the avid gambler in her free time. Whether it is darts (where she once bested Eric Bristow in a game of cricket), a round of poker or leveraging her expert knowledge betting on the European Championship – this television personality knows her way around a risky wager. She has even dabbled in horse race betting and spent her around £300,000 Poker Million winnings buying the thoroughbred, Birkspiel. These days, it seems like Chaberlain keeps a low profile, entering online poker tournaments from her Surrey farm.
6. Queen Elizabeth II
Game of Choice: Horse Racing
The late Queen Elizabeth II’s love of thoroughbreds started at a young age and continued to play an integral part in her private life until her passing in 2023. While she never technically placed a bet, only ever having her card “marked by a professional” – we still feel that she deserves a spot on this list. After all, her herd of horses (inherited by King Charles) is presumed to be worth about £27 million. This rivals even the most famous UK bookmakers.
Celebrity Gambling Addiction: The Dark side of Gaming
The VIP casino lifestyle certainly has its benefits, but many UK celebrities have learned that it has a dark side too. Notable bettors such as Terry Ramsden, Harry Findlay and old-schoolers like Charles Wells have all shared their experiences with the huge risks that come with high stakes gambling. This includes bankruptcy filings, legal battles and even struggles with gambling addiction.
There are other drawbacks to the high roller life. Patrick Veitch spent plenty of years hiding away instead of spending his riches, in fear of being targeted by unsavoury personalities. Derren Brown’s “psychological illusionist” tricks turned out to be so effective that he has reportedly been banned from casinos all around the UK. As always, it seems the trick to maintaining this luxurious lifestyle is knowing where your limits lie.
Take the Stage with These Responsible Gambling Tips
While there is not much we can do to improve your natural singing, dancing or acting abilities, the following tips can help you to gamble like your favourite superstars (well, almost) and maintain that VIP edge.
Tip 1: Set a Budget
If you aren’t playing with a VIP budget, a good rule of thumb is to stick to gambling only with the money you can afford to lose.
Tip 2: Start Small
Even global superstars need to pay their dues. It is always good to start out conservatively when you are learning the rules of a new game. The high roller lifestyle is achievable, but it might take a few rounds to get there.
Tip 3: Take a Break
Even Hollywood’s biggest actors need to take five minutes on set sometimes. Whether you are playing online or in-person, a quick break here and there will keep you refreshed and at the top of your game.
Tip 4: Don’t Chase Losses
Not all movies can be blockbusters, just like not all losses can be recuperated. Knowing when to cash in those last few chips is what really makes a true gambling superstar.
Join the Club: Mobile Gambling Allows You to Cash in on the “High Roller Life”
If you really want to play like these famous gamblers, the best way to gain access to exclusive loyalty and VIP programs is to visit one of the UK’s top real money mobile casinos. Top Mobile Casino’s picks are all registered with the UK Gambling Commission, giving you safe and secure access to the high roller lifestyles of your favourite UK celebrity gamblers from the comfort of your couch.
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