Gambling

BARBIE HAS BEEN MANY THINGS, BUT DEFINITELY NOT A GAMBLER

It’s one of the biggest movies of the year so it’s not surprising that Barbie merchandise and branding is everywhere, but there’s ONE place you won’t see it – at the casino! According to a studio insider, executives turned DOWN a lucrative branding deal to feature Barbie on slot machines all around the world. The insider says they didn’t want to tarnish Barbie’s wholesome reputation by associating her with gambling.

Photo: Barbie through the years

BEN AFFLECK: LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING

On paper, Ben Affleck looks like a great catch. He’s tall, dark, handsome, and smart, and has a successful career as an award-winning actor and director. Certainly he has attracted his share of equally attractive and successful women. But all is not as it appears. Ben has had a drinking problem for quite awhile that called for several visits to rehab. At times he can be surly and moody. What’s more, Ben is addicted to gambling in excess and has never totally been able to give THAT up, despite financial repercussions. Jennifer Garner has endured all of his addictions and we have to give her credit for never complaining. And she is trying to make the most of their co-parenting. Ben did ONE thing right – he married Jennifer. (Above, Ben, looking a bit puffy, took Seraphina to karate class.)

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

JENNIFER LOPEZ TREATS HER MOM TO A SHOPPING SPREE ON RODEO DRIVE

Jennifer Lopez took her mom Guadalupe Rodriguez Christmas shopping at Barneys in Beverly Hills and then to Rodeo Drive. Jennifer and Guadalupe are very close – Jen can even joke about her mother’s passion for gambling. (When Jennifer was dating Ben Affleck, he and Guadalupe had a great time gambling together.) A few years ago Guadalupe actually won 2.4 million playing the slots in Atlantic City. We can’t help but wonder how much she’s LOST over the years. It helps to have a wealthy daughter.

Photo Credit: AKM-GSI

WHY DOESN’T CHARLIE SHEEN HAVE ANY FRIENDS?

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Charlie Sheen might be living the life many men dream about – he has loads of money and he spends it on porn stars, drugs, booze, and gambling. But has anyone noticed that he doesn’t have any FRIENDS? He’s never had a group of buddies to hang out with or watch sports with. The only people who care about him are related to him – his family. Charlie doesn’t go out after work with pals from the set and the only people around him are paid assistants, exwives he supports, drug dealers, and madams. His solitary friendless life became apparent when an intervention was discussed and the only people available were his parents, as usual. Being Charlie Sheen isn’t as much fun as it looks.

CHARLIE SHEEN IS THE MOST POPULAR ADDICTIVE PERSONALITY SINCE ERROL FLYNN

Is there ANYTHING Charlie Sheen hasn’t been addicted to? First it was BOOZE, and DRUGS, including heroin and crack, then it was SEX with hookers on call at all hours. And don’t forget, when he was high he liked to go SHOPPING and blow tons of money on frivolities. He’s also been accused of being addicted to ONLINE sex and admits his addiction to online GAMBLING. His addictions contributed to the domestic violence that got him arrested for roughing up his wife in Aspen. Charlie’s lawyer had a sweet deal set up whereby Charlie would only serve 30 days in jail and be able to leave jail for up to 12 hours a day and work at a local community theater, coaching aspiring actors. But the deal fell through because they don’t allow smoking at the theater and Charlie is addicted to his NICOTINE habit. So the court date is postponed until July 12 and the new deal might interfere with the “Two and a Half Men” shooting schedule. It’s amazing but Charlie’s self indulgences seem not to affect his popularity or that of his show. He’s teflon. No matter WHAT he does, everybody loves Charlie.

A-ROD GAVE UP HIS SECOND FAVORITE SPORT FOR KATE HUDSON

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Now we KNOW that Yankee hero Alex Rodriguez is serious about Kate Hudson! He’s giving up one of his favorite pastimes to please her – no, it’s not baseball. It’s high stakes poker games. Alex has long been a regular at a private game in Manhattan for high rollers, but he recently bowed OUT of the monthly games to please Kate. She thinks it’s a big waste of time and money and he wants to keep her happy.

JENNIFER GARNER'S SCHEME TO KEEP BEN AT HOME

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Photo Credit: Splash News

Jennifer Garner is well aware of her husband Ben Affleck’s predilections. He loves to gamble – and poker is his passion. She doesn’t particularly want him wandering off to play in poker tournaments or weekending in Las Vegas. So she’s decided to indulge Ben’s hobby by turning a spare room in their new Brentwood home (still under construction) into a playroom for Ben and his buddies. Ben’s new poker room will resemble the casino at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. Soon Ben won’t have to fly to Las Vegas to play poker- he can just walk downstairs.

GAIL O' GRADY: SHE LOOKS LIKE AN ANGEL, BUT DON'T GET BETWEEN HER AND THE BLACKJACK TABLE

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Remember adorable Gail O’Grady who played the unforgettable Donna Abondando on NYPD Blue? She later appeared on American Dreams. According to the Enquirer, she’s tragically addicted to gambling. When she was young, Gail, who’s now 45 and still gorgeous, always had wealthy boyfriends who took her to Las Vegas and indulged her bad habit. After she became a successful actress, her addiction escalated and she’s declared bankruptcy for the second time in fifteen years. She’s obsessed with blackjack, video poker and slots. Gail’s mired in debt and owes money to casinos, credit card companies, the IRS, her mortgage company, and all her friends! Her estranged fifth husband says “Gail makes a great living but not enough to support her gambling habit!” Who knew?

AUSTRALIANS THINK BRANDON DAVIS IS A BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY

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Photo Credit: Splash News

Brandon Davis is still in Sydney, Australia with his Aussie girlfriend model Cheyenne Tozzi, and he’s having such a good time he doesn’t want to come home. For one thing, he’s been gambling at casinos there and claims to have won $70,000. (Remember, he was detained for two hours at the airport when he arrived with TOO MUCH cash in his pocket.) Brandon also loves Australia because he’s a big celebrity there – they think he’s a “billionaire playboy” and there’s no TMZ to write insults about him. He only planned to stay for a week but he’s extended his trip several times and it’s already been a month. America’s loss is Australia’s gain!