The fact that Ben Affleck was said to be addicted to gambling could be read in colorful papers. The successful American actor, screenwriter, director, and producer, Oscar winner, among other things, Batman actor and star together with Matt Damon in the jointly conceived cult film “Good Will Hunting” not only made headlines with his cinematic work. His private life became the focus of reporting. Alcoholism was also mentioned. We base the following on original statements by Affleck in interviews. Of course, we also offer support for completely problem-free gaming without gambling addiction. So, just visit the best casinos, not on GamStop.
What Constitutes Gambling Addiction But Not for Ben Affleck?
The classic definition of gambling addiction is loss of control. It’s the same with unhealthy alcohol consumption. The person concerned simply cannot stop, even if the results of their behavior cause them recognizable harm. The fact that Ben Affleck likes and can play blackjack is a fact. We dare to deny whether this has harmed him in the sense mentioned above, i.e., whether he has suffered irreparable financial damage through gambling addiction.
The GamStop gambling addict keeps gambling, hoping for that one big win that will make up for all previous losses. This creates a spiral that ends in the inability to stop at the right time. This can pose existential threats, such as financial ruin. Nothing is known of this in the case of Ben Affleck. To put it bluntly, the high-earning star could afford to lose; they could never become ruinous for him. And it wasn’t just about losses.
“They Don’t Want to Give You a Fair Chance”
In 2014, Ben Affleck played blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He did so successfully that management asked him to back off. Ben Affleck got in trouble for winning too much, not too little. He wasn’t thrown out; he wasn’t banned from the house. He was simply asked to stop playing blackjack and move on to other games. Affleck, in his own words, is someone who wants to do well in everything he does. In the case of blackjack, that meant carefully counting his cards. He was so good at it that the casino pulled the ripcord. Card counting is frowned upon in casinos. Affleck concluded, according to Vanity Fair magazine: “They don’t want to give you a fair chance. Sure, they’re very hospitable, slap you on the back as long as they think you’ll leave your money with them. If things turn out differently, they suddenly say: “Why don’t you try the dice or roulette?”.
What’s Behind the Rumours?
Rumors eventually surfaced that Affleck would “habitually hang out in Las Vegas for days.” What was he doing there? According to media reports, Affleck did not go bankrupt but made solid profits. According to The New York Times, they totaled $1 million in just two visits. Affleck’s net worth is estimated at $75 million. Obviously, for him, gambling is not a question of desperate pursuit of fortune but an adrenaline rush. According to the American media, he has even allowed himself to tip casino workers in excess of $140,000. This is much more than non GamStop casino dealers could dream of!
Affleck wasn’t quite as successful with poker as he was with blackjack. He hosted poker rounds in the Beverly Hills celebrity neighborhood of Los Angeles. According to Star Magazine, celebrities such as his old pal Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Tobey Maguire were among the participants in Ben’s Game. Affleck is said to have made losses there. However, it should also be noted that in 2004 he won the California State Poker Championship. The prize money was $356,000.
Divorce Yes, Gambling Ruin No!
The actress Jennifer Garner, also known for the film “Daredevil,” and Ben Affleck separated after ten years of marriage, into which three children were born. Apparently, this is not what brought Ben Affleck into gambling addiction. But rather his weakness for a film partner during the shooting of the strip “Gone Girl,” which, according to the “Daily Mail,” should not have been an isolated case. In addition, there was apparently an alcohol problem, which he himself addressed. He made his addiction public and sought treatment. However, he is not immune to relapses. It was only in October 2019 that he spoke of a “slip” after a boozy party.
The couple ended the relationship after a ten-month trial separation. With a public statement saying: “After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce. We are guided by future mutual love and friendship and shared responsibility for our children.” The combined fortune was estimated at $150 million at the time – hardly an indication that gambling addiction could have ruined a family here.
