During his NBA career, he won six championship games with the Chicago Bulls. While this former NBA player fascinated people on the court, he also had one habit off the court that caught people’s interest.
To get all the details on Michael Jordan’s gambling journey, we’ve brought in a real gambling expert and CasinoRIX author Kris Olson. As Olson notes, this basketball icon also had a long history with sports betting. When he wasn’t making moves on the court, he was wagering on other athletes in all sorts of competitions. While some people believed he had a gambling problem, Michael Jordan said it was about the competition.
Early Gambling Activities
Michael Jordan’s gambling days go back to when he was in high school. When he was younger he used to place wagers on friendly card games. An old letter revealed that he was happy his prom date paid him off for a bet she lost against him. A former college classmate put a signed check from Jordan up for auction. The now-famous basketball star once paid off a $5 bet by check after losing a pool game.
His passion for gambling didn’t end once he became a famous athlete. When he was in the NBA, he was known to gamble a significant amount. He wanted to bet on nearly every match and competition that aired. If anyone was willing to place a bet with him, he was ready to gamble. For those inspired by Jordan’s enthusiasm and looking to try their luck online, exploring the list of the best online casinos for real money in Canada from CasinoRIX can be a great starting point.
High-Stakes Gambling and Controversies
Micheal Jordan quickly became known for his wild gambling habits. But it didn’t seem to phase him. After all, he was earning more than enough money to cover this eccentric habit. He bet on nearly any sporting event someone would wager against him. These were the days before online casinos were accessible. The one sport that he liked to bet on the most was golf. He was known for placing some eccentric bets on golf matches. He didn’t think twice about wagering high-stakes sums of money.
There were some controversies surrounding the famous athlete’s gambling habits. In 1992, when the Olympics were in Monaco, Jordan made headlines for frequent visits to the Monte Carlo Casino. He was involved in some late-night card games with other famous players, like Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley. Allegedly, only the biggest names in the league could keep up with the massive bets he was placing. Around the same time, he was also receiving a lot of bad publicity for his wild nights out at Atlantic City casinos.
Another controversy surrounding Michael Jordan’s gambling habits linked him to a convicted drug dealer. A check for $57,000 was discovered for James ‘Slim’ Bouler from Jordan. At first, the basketball player claimed it was a loan for a driving range. But in court, Jordan testified that the money was for a gambling loss.
The Impact on His Career and Legacy
After all of the controversy, Michael Jordan made the decision to retire from the NBA at the end of the 1992/1993 season. There were many theories and speculations about the reason why. Some people believed his gambling controversies played a role while others thought his superstar status was the reason. But, Jordan claimed he had nothing left to prove in the game.
It’s not because I don’t love the game. I love the game of basketball. I always will. I just feel that, at this particular time in my career, I have reached the pinnacle of my career. I have achieved a lot in that short amount of time if you want to call it short. But I just feel that I don’t have anything else for myself to prove
Michael Jordan
His retirement didn’t last too long. He returned to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 ready to reclaim his legacy.
Conclusion
Micheal Jordan is known for his drive on the court and for bringing the Chicago Bulls to victory. This basketball legend’s skills weren’t the only thing making headlines during his career. He was also known for his risky gambling habits. While some believed these habits were risky, Michael Jordan believed it was all in the fun of the competition.
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Author: Team Dunkest
August 16, 2024 | 12:15 pm
