Surprising Historical Figures Who Loved Gambling

Casino, Life

Surprising Historical Figures Who Loved Gambling

Casino, Life

Black and white image of people crowded around a roulette table

Surprising Historical Figures Who Loved Gambling

Casino, Life

Black and white image of people crowded around a roulette table

Whether you play at in-person or online casinos, you’ll know that the tables attract all kinds of people, including celebrities. These days, celebrities’ social media posts make it easy to know when they’re playing casino games or competing in a poker tournament. 

But what about the famous people from history who loved to gamble? They might not have been playing casino games online, posting their stats to Twitter or streaming live dealer games to their laptops at home, but they certainly weren’t missing out on a chance to make their bets.

While they might be better known for their professional pursuits than their steely poker faces or ruthless tactics, here are some of the most famous gamblers in history.

Fyodor Dostoevsky

The history of gambling includes some very interesting characters, such as Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, the 19th-century Russian novelist, philosopher and journalist. A typical author, Dostoevsky based many of his books and essays on his personal experiences. He loved to gamble and found it a great source of motivation and inspiration. Add that to the fact that he had some serious gambling debts that he needed to pay off and it’s no surprise that he ended up writing “The Gambler,” a rather dark novel about gambling addiction.

René Descartes

Born in France in 1596, René Descartes is known as the “Father of Modern Western Philosophy” and was also a respected scientist. You might not recognize the name immediately, but if you’ve ever heard the statement “I think, therefore I am,” then you know the man in question. 

Instead of becoming a lawyer or joining the military, Descartes’ first choice would have been to become a professional gambler. Fortunately, he found his calling as a philosopher and gave society plenty to think about. But he continued to gamble throughout his life, eventually writing, “The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as the greatest virtues” — no doubt, a thinly-veiled reference to his great love of gambling. 

Claude Monet

Oscar-Claude Monet was the founding father of French impressionism and one of the most prolific impressionist artists of his time. As he started out, Monet had no idea how far his painting career would take him. But this changed when he got lucky. In 1890, he won almost $15,000 in the French lottery (who knew that lotteries go back that far in history?) which made it possible for him to quit his job and further explore his love for painting. So, lovers of Claude Monet’s paintings have gambling to thank for making those beautiful paintings possible.

George Washington

George Washington on Mount Rushmore National Monument, South Dakota, USA.

It wasn’t just historical Europeans who loved to play casino games; the first American president was a gambling man, too. George Washington, born February 22, 1732, was not only a massive fan of betting on racehorses but also bred his own ponies.

The bureaucratic betting trend doesn’t stop there; Washington found a gambling buddy in Thomas Jefferson. Although the term one-armed bandit had a completely different meaning back then, these two were known for their enthusiasm for a bit of bookmaking. From racehorses to more unusual events — frog and rat races to name but two of them — Washington and Jefferson were all in on exciting wagers.

Richard Nixon

Another US president who gambled (and excelled at it) was Richard Nixon. Before ascending to the US presidency, Nixon served in the US Navy during World War II. Notably, Nixon was an adept poker player, honing his skills during his military service. His calculated strategies at the poker table earned him substantial winnings, a significant portion of which funded his initial leap into politics. 

In a 1970 Life magazine interview, former Navy comrade James Udall recalled, “He was the finest poker player I have ever played against. I once saw him bluff a lieutenant commander out of $1,500 with a pair of deuces.” His other navy poker pal, Lester Wroble, also told Life, “I never saw him lose.”

His poker successes not only bolstered his political aspirations financially but also reflected the strategic thinking that would later characterize his political career. Nixon’s poker background is a fascinating footnote to the narrative of this complex and controversial figure in American history. 

Harry S. Truman

Poker and US presidents seemed to go hand in hand in the mid-20th century. Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, was known for his love of poker and many say he simply continued a tradition entrenched by his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This love extended beyond a casual hobby, as Truman frequently used poker games as a means of relaxation and diplomacy during his presidency. He even hosted regular poker nights in the White House, inviting cabinet members, friends and associates. 

It is said that before delivering his renowned “Iron Curtain” speech, Winston Churchill played a poker game with Harry Truman. The U.S. President and the British Prime Minister took a momentary detour from the weight of world affairs to enjoy a friendly competition at the card table.

Truman saw poker not only as a game but also as a strategic exercise, demonstrating his calm, collected decision-making skills that were characteristic of his political career. The president’s poker table, symbolizing his love for the game, is even on display at his presidential library.

King Henry VIII

King Henry VIII of England, renowned for his tumultuous marriages and establishment of the Church of England, also had a deep-seated love for games, particularly gambling. Infamous for his high-stakes wagers, Henry VIII often gambled away large sums of money, much to the chagrin of his court. 

However, these losses didn’t deter him, as the thrill of the game appeared to outweigh the financial repercussions. His penchant for risk-taking in gambling translated into his political decisions as well, underscoring his reign as one of high stakes, often with costly outcomes.

Wild Bill Hickok

Born James Butler Hickok, Wild Bill was a war hero from the Old West. He is famous for his life on the frontier, the many gunfights he took part in and for being a prolific gambler. Hickok was fond of poker (particularly draw poker) and was known to pull his Colt and knife if he ever thought he was being scammed.

Unfortunately, Hickok’s quick draw and skeptical eye failed him in the end. He met his maker after unsuspectingly joining a poker game with men who were conspiring to shoot and kill him. Despite his demise, Hickok’s memory lives on to this day when poker players refer to a pair of aces and a pair of eights as a “Dead Man’s Hand,” because this was the hand that Wild Bill is said to have dropped as he fell from his chair.

Marie Antoniette

Marie Antoinette was one of the most controversial female figures in all of Western history. She was born on November 2, 1755, as Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna, an archduchess of Austria. She later moved to France to marry Louis Auguste and become the queen of France when her husband ascended the throne.

Antoinette is remembered for her fondness of spending money on things such as fashion, lavish parties and gambling — even throwing a three-day-long party to mark her 21st birthday. Unfortunately, such flamboyant displays of wealth eventually led to the demise of the French royal family.

Doc Holliday

A notorious gambler, John Henry “Doc” Holliday’s appearance might be the least surprising on this list. But just how he became one of history’s most famous gamblers may well be a bit more interesting. Doc started out as a dentist in Georgia, but things quickly changed after a string of tragedies altered his life.

After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, Doc turned from a respectable dentist into one of the most notorious bandit outlaws of the 19th century. Although his condition started out mild, it worsened over time and prevented him from practicing dentistry. With all the free time on his hands, Doc spent more time in Texas saloons, where he learned to play poker. The rest, as they say, is history.

These are just some of the historical figures that enjoyed gambling. The history of gambling can take you on a whirlwind of fun facts, including one of the longest poker games in history and much more. 

Write Your Own Gambling History With Borgata Online

Make your mark in gambling’s history books and register with Borgata Online. The casino offers some of the best online casino games, including online poker, blackjack, roulette, tons of online slot games as well as online slots tournaments.

If you’d like to play online casino games on a mobile device, simply download the mobile casino games app. You never know; you might end up playing a few hands with the next big celebrity gambler.