When you think about celebrities, it might seem like they’re “untouchable”. The world is full of stories about stars behaving questionably and getting away with it, with an emphasis on leniency in all manner of locations and industries. Not everyone is quite so willing to let bygones be bygones, however. The casino industry, in particular, is renowned for holding everyone accountable for their actions regardless of public office or standing.
In this article, we’ll explore four of the most surprising celebrities banned from physical casinos around the world! Keep reading for the shocking details.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is a veritable Hollywood royalty. His career began in 1984 when he acted in the PBS show The Voyage of Mimi at the age of 12 years old. Since then, he has starred in everything from movies to television shows and has even written and produced feature films like Good Will Hunting and Justice League, respectively. Some of his most successful roles include Pearl Harbor (2001), Good Will Hunting (1997), and Armageddon (1998). Affleck has also championed a number of philanthropic causes, including the Eastern Congo Initiative, which he co-founded with Whitney Williams, and the A-T Children’s Project.
In May 2014, Affleck was playing blackjack at the high rollers’ table in Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino when he was approached by casino staff and accused of counting cards. While he didn’t publicly confess immediately, he did later confirm in multiple interviews that he was, indeed, counting cards. He maintains that he was simply a good player, but he notes that the strategy is legal, albeit frowned upon in the industry.
Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton is a well-known American socialite, actress, model, disc jockey, and singer. She is known for kickstarting the “celebutante” trend, which refers to individuals who are famous for their wealth and family name rather than any specific talent or career success. With that said, she has found significant success in a variety of industries. Her acting in House of Wax (2005) and Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), in particular, was widely praised and brought the celebrity’s popularity to even greater heights.
In June 2010, Hilton was arrested at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas after a bag of cocaine fell out of her purse at the venue. Hilton, who was a fixture in Vegas at that point, with an impressive $30,000 blackjack win, was subsequently banned from visiting either Wynn Resort location in the Strip. She has since announced a partnership with WOW Vegas and seems to be a fan of gambling despite the drama.
Vince Neil
Unlike the previous two entries in our list, Vince Neil isn’t known for his acting chops at all. On the contrary, his claim to fame is his work as the lead vocalist of Mötley Crüe. He fronted the group from 1981 through 1992, later returning in 1996 and remaining through its “retirement” in 2015. In 2018, when the group reunited, he returned and reprised his role through the present day. In addition to his work with Mötley Crüe, Neil has established a solo career consisting of three studio albums.
The musician has had a few run-ins at Las Vegas casinos, but the most notable was his banning from the Palms after poor behaviour at the operator’s Little Buddha restaurant. After an alleged altercation with staff members and an all-around obnoxious showing, Neil was removed from the restaurant and, pending alleged additional harassment of the casino’s staff following the incident, was later banned from the venue entirely.
Dana White
Dana White is perhaps the most interesting celebrity on our list. Not only is he not known for acting or music, but he’s also not a particularly noted athlete. Instead, White is famous – and infamous – for being the co-owner, president, and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The business was nearing bankruptcy when his brother purchased it in 2001. While White did not front money for the purchase, he was quickly installed as its president and was granted a stake. The businessman had his work cut out for him and built the organization from the bottom up, including its initial online presence.
Aside from building the UFC, White is also known for his talent at gambling. High-stakes blackjack is his game of choice, and he has won millions over the years. A particularly successful streak from January to March 2024 netted him roughly $26 million at Ceasars in Las Vegas. Perhaps due to his talent as a player, White has had increasing difficulty playing on the Strip. He notes that the Palm, Mirage, and Wynn have all kicked him out on multiple occasions and refuse to let him play.
Today, White plays mostly at Caesars Palace, with an affectionate nod to the Bellagio and the Venetian.
Celebs staying out of trouble?!
What do you think about the run-ins these celebrities have had with Las Vegas casinos? It is always interesting to see the wealthy and powerful face the same issues that some of us experience. From counting cards to, presumably, being a bit too skilled with high-roller bets, there are many reasons Affleck, Hilton, Neil, and White found themselves at odds with the industry.
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