The Australian online gambling industry reached $4.5 billion in 2022. The IMARC Group projects it will grow by 7.09% annually to reach $7.2 billion by 2028. That is why it is unsurprising that some Hollywood celebrities spend their fortunes at Australian casinos.
Most famous people frequent Australia’s online casinos, which you can find at Casinoau10. It lists some best rated online casino Australia that attract the most celebrities. Their games offer video slots, live gaming, poker, baccarat, and craps.
Read on to learn more about celebrities that frequent the top Australian casinos.
10 Hollywood Celebrities Who Are Famous For Gaming
1. Zeljko Ranogajec
Australian billionaire Zeljko Ranogajec is arguably the world’s leading gambler. The industry refers to “The Joker” due to his many casino bans for using his mathematical skills to gain gaming advantage. He outlays about $1-$3 billion annually in various gambling activities.
That includes about $800 that he spends on Australia’s horse industry. In 2014, he moved his family to Hyde Park, where a single apartment unit was valued at AUD$255 million at the time.
2. Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman is known for taking risks on screen and in the casino world. He frequents casinos in Australia, where he plays mostly poker and blackjack. But most people will recognize him from his Wolverine role in the X-Men Franchise.
As of 2023, Hugh Jackman has a net worth of $180 million, which he made through appearances in movies and onstage. He made about $20 per movie in his Wolverine Role.
3. James Packer
James Packer became a billionaire after he inherited about $6.5 billion. That empire consists of investments mainly in media and Crown casinos in Perth and Melbourne. In the bookmaking circles, he is known for his casino junkets.
Many believe he got the gaming urge from his father, Kerry Packer. But unlike his father, he later chose to quit the leadership of the media companies he inherited from his father.
4. Nicole Kidman
According to Keith Urban, he does not gamble because his wife is much better at it than he is. The talented Australian musician says even though he performs in casinos, he does not gamble. Instead, he lets his wife do it. He feels it would be awkward for him to lose as his wife keeps winning.
The couple has a combined net worth of $695 million. Moreover, they are the only Australian celebrities in 2023’s list of the 10 richest people in Australia.
5. Kerry Packer
The late Kerry Packer once flipped a coin, where a winner takes it all for $100 million with a Texan. The Texan had bragged that his net worth was $100 million. Many gaming fans also remember him for winning $20 million in 40 minutes at the MGM Grand Casino.
6. Tobey Maguire
Many remember Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man, but few people know that he is a gambling fan. But he is not a typical fan. He is said to have made between $30-$40 million by playing poker games. He plays at Australian casinos whenever he visits.
7. Matt Damon
Matt Damon’s gambling started with his acting career. At least, that is what Ben Affleck’s interview revealed. He said that he and Damon used to gamble at Larry Bird’s house on their way to LA. The NBA star was not at home at the time, and the experience spurred them to take betting seriously.
8. Alan Woods
The late Alan Woods is another Australian celebrity who used to frequent casinos. His favorite casino game was blackjack, which he preferred because he could use his mathematical skills to get an edge. Over the years, he made a fortune of over $349.83 million and lived in luxury in Manila.
His greatest fit is that when he bet on horses, he barely saw any of the races happen. He just used background checks of the horses, tracks, and jockeys to make his predictions.
9. Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson is famous for frequenting casinos, but not for her winnings as much as her losses. She gained world attention after she lost $250,000 in a single game of poker. Interestingly, she lost to Rick Salomon, who later became her husband.
10. Rick Salomon
Salomon won numerous high stake games, and casinos in Australia and around the world are well aware of his gaming expertise. At one time, he won about $40 million within a year. He recently hit the news after winning a Texas hold’em version of poker against Raad al-Khereiji.
He sued Sheikh Raad for not paying him $2.8 million, but a French court ruled against Salomon.
Final Words
Gambling is fun and thrilling, and Hollywood fans often find it irresistible. And fortunately for them, they do have the resources to play big. With online casinos’ rising popularity, most of them are now staking it big even while they are on the move.