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Celine Dion in her autobiography,My Story, My Dream.Celine admits her husband Rene
Angelil's gambling put a strain on their marriage.'His numerous trips to Las Vegas were sometimes
disastrous.' she says. In one marathon 141-hour spree, he reportedly lost about $31,000 (£20.000) an hour. with losses totalling $4.3 million (£2.8 million).
Kevin Costner and David Arquette created a stir in Vegas when they filmed 3,000 Miles To Graceland, their flop movie about an Elvis Presley
convention, at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.'Between takes, Costner would play blackjack and David would play craps, still dressed in their Elvis costumes.' says John Neeland, the
Riviera's publicity manager, 'You'd see people wander by and do double takes. But the pair were very accommodating. They let people sit
next to them and take photographs.'
Michael Owen Being a top sportsman doesn't leave much room for vice, but he does like the odd flutter.The 23-year-old striker is said to have spent a fortune on horses and football
via offshore gambling accounts. Well,if you earn £70.000 a week. you've got
to do something with it...
Gladys Knight The singer says she's lost a fortune in Las Vegas.
Finally after losing $45.000 (£28,000) one night, she called Gamblers
Anonymous, and hasn't been back to the tables since.
Kiefer Sutherland in one wild weekend, Kiefer blew a cool $250,000
(£160,000) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the MGM Grand Hotel.
Martin Sheen The west wing star loves to play the Vegas slot
machines.'I just become a little boy again,' he explains. 'I know I'm not going to win a
nickel, but I'll sit for hours and not think of anything
else in the world.' He's been a regular since 1966. 'I stopped there on a bus
from LA to New York to get a bite to eat. I started playing a slot machine,
missed my bus, lost $40 and had to pawn my watch for $30. What does that tell
you about Las Vegas? Don't get off the bus.'
Britney Spears. The sweet innocent Brit of yesteryear seems to be a
thing of the past. She smokes, she drinks, she's even been out with Colin
Farrell. What could be more vice-ridden than that? But just to make
sure she has the full complement of vices,Britney's taken up gambling. The 21-year-old
was spotted splashing her cash at the casino in the Palms hotel in Las Vegas
. But rumour has it. Brit was a bit of natural and
walked away from the blackjack table with a cool £16,000. Hit me baby one
more time indeed.
Ben Affleck. Back in his boozing days, Ben went on one of Vegas's most talked-about gambling
binges, playing blackjack in the high rollers' Peacock Lounge at the Hard
Rock. By the time he gathered up his chips in the early hours of Saturday
morning, he'd won $800.000 (£500,000). Then he added to his legend - by tossing $150,000 (£95,000)in tips to the dealers.
George Clooney. George is a dab hand with the ladies, but not so
hot when it comes to courting Lady Luck. 'I hold the record tor the most
blackjack losses in Vegas.' he admits.It happened when George was staying
at the Bellagio, making Ocean's Eleven. 'George lost 25 hands in a
row,' says his co-star Matt Damon.'Professional gamblers were pulling
back their chips until George left, It was like he was jinxing the place.'
Bruce Willis.When Bruce plays blackjack at the Mirage in Vegas,
he's prized for being a 'premium player' - one who may bet $250,000
(£160,000) a visit.
Matt Damon.Matt has been a regular at the tables since he arrived
in Vegas in 1998 to film Rounders,in which he played a high-stakes
poker player. To gain experience, he entered the World Series of Poker at
Binion's Horseshoe Casino. He promptly lost his $10.000 entry stake.
'He plays in the tournament every year,' says the Riviera's Jonn Neeland.
'He's never won, which isn't a surprise. He's up against the best
poker players in the world.'
Jo O'Meara.But celebrity gambling isn't all high
rolling for big bucks in Vegas, Ex S Clubber Jo is another star who's
not averse to a bit of betting, but her particular vice is bingo. She's
been spotted popping into her local bingo club in Barkingside, Essex,
up to four times a week and spends hours on the £500 jackpot
machine.
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