staffRappers are known for their lyrics and beats, and sometimes the rappers that they beef with, of which there are plenty. Just like some of the most famous A-list movie stars, there are plenty of rappers who spend their limited free time casino gaming.
While poker or dice is usually the game of choice, there are plenty of other games that rapping gamers love, like casino bingo games, slots, and even placing wagers on big sports games.
So, who is who on the rappers who love casino gaming lists?
Aubrey Graham
Aubrey Graham, more commonly known as Drake, is known for casino gaming. Aside from releasing plenty of albums, touring and racking up many number ones – with a reported net worth of $250 million and making $70 million a year – some of that goes down on card games.
Drake is a rapper who is certainly moving with the times because he recently signed with a crypto-casino and posted about it on his social media. Although many people know that he lost $200,000 in a card game, but this year it was shown that he has won more than he has lost, and it is a reported $17 million on live table casinos.
On a live stream, he gave away 35 bitcoins!
Cornell Haynes III
It’s Getting Hot in Here! With a long career spanning years and 15 studio albums, Nelly has a firm love of Texas Hold’Em and isn’t shy about it, either. And while you might know some of his studio hits like Dilemma, you might not know that Nelly participated in the 2007 World Series of Poker – which was the first time most people in the poker world knew that he has a passion for the cards.
He has taken part in a few big tournaments, including the EPT Grand Final that took place in Monte Carlo in 2009. By any stretch, WSOP players are in a league of their own, and playing to that standard is more than just a little tough!
Shawn Carter
Shawn Carter, also known as Jay Z, Hova, Jazzy and husband of Beyonce, has the biggest amassed wealth on the list with a huge $1.3 billion. While he has been notoriously private about what he does outside of work, and his public profile is highly curated – there were rumours in 2015 about a big loss at a high-stakes table. And when you only play high-stakes games, the wins or losses are considerably higher than at a regular table. His loss was reported to be $500,000 in just one hand of Texas Hold’Em.
It’s not just cards that Jay-Z is reported to love; it was rumoured that he lost a 6 figure amount when he bet on a boxing match.
Sean Combs
From one Shawn to another, Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy. P. Diddy is not just a rapper, though; he is known to be a businessman too. And if there is one thing businessmen know what to do, it is take a calculated risk. Combs Enterprises has a partnership with Cîroc vodka, Aquahydrate and DeLeon tequila. Bad Boy Records, Capital Prep Harlem, REVOLT TV (Media and REVOLT Films), and Sean John.
So, with all of those businesses and high net worth, a little bit of gaming here and there is par for the course.
Diddy’s game of choice is noted as being blackjack, but he has had more than a few flutters on sports wagers too! One of the biggest wagers was one between P. Diddy and Mark Wahlberg, a whopping $250,000 for a Pacquiao and Mayweather, Diddy had bet on Mayweather – a high stakes bet that paid off!
Curtis Jackson
Aside from his recent bet that made the viral media that Floyd Mayweather couldn’t read a single page of Harry Potter, Floyd didn’t take up the challenge, but 50 Cent has a few other big bets under his belt. Curtis tends to bet more on sports like boxing, and one of his biggest bets to date is the $1.6 million he put down on the Money Mayweather and Pacquiao in 2015.
A few more of his notable bets, like the New York Giants and the San Fran 49ers, where a hefty $500,000 was placed, and another Mayweather fight, where he put down $1 million.
Of course, when it comes to big wrappers with multiple awards and a string of album sales, they aren’t afraid to throw down a million or more on some of the biggest fights in history. An honourable mention goes out to Bryan Christopher Williams, aka Birdman, who spent $2 million on Miami Heat vs Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA in 2011.
Suffice to say the link between rappers and the casino or sports wagering is pretty strong!