Casinos employ a blend of strategies to keep gamblers glued to the tables, regardless of their luck. These include a lack of windows, complimentary drinks, scrutiny of wins and losses, 24/7 video surveillance, and undercover security agents. Most games feature a house advantage, and if you cost the casino too much, you might get banned.
In some rare instances, celebrities have been banned from casinos for various reasons. Ben Affleck, the iconic actor, found himself permanently banned from blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for counting cards at a high rollers’ table. Dana White, the CEO and president of the UFC, was denied a seat at several casinos due to his success at the blackjack table, with rumored winnings of $7 million in a single night. Derren Brown, a famous illusionist, faced bans from various UK casinos due to his card-counting skills. Allen Iverson, a former NBA star, was banned from Detroit casinos for disruptive behavior, including throwing cards and chips at dealers. Stu Ungar, known as the greatest poker player in history, faced bans from multiple casinos due to his exceptional card-counting skills and memory.
These stories illustrate that even the most illustrious figures are not immune to the casinos’ strict rules and measures. Casinos have the right to refuse service to anyone, and even celebrities can find themselves unwelcome due to their behavior or gambling skills.
