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12-Hour Blackjack Session for Iggy Azalea

By: Russell Potvin , Mon. Jul. 06, 2015

12-Hour Blackjack Session for Celebrity Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea is a well-known celebrity in Australia and the United States, but her recent 12-hour blackjack session might have gotten her the wrong kind of attention.

When celebrities are known for enjoying gambling, it's an interesting topic because there are two sides to it. On one hand, they should be able to do what they want like anyone else. On the other hand, their status and financial situation can lead them to setting a bad example for others if they get too out of hand. Normally this wouldn't affect that many other people, but with the exposure that comes with being a celebrity, there's more to it.

Problem Gambling for Iggy?

When Iggy sat down at the blackjack tables in Las Vegas, she started the beginning of a 12-hour session. While we're all about people enjoying themselves, some of the things she said about her session point to problem gambling issues. For example, her boyfriend had to pull her away from the tables at around 2 am because she had a performance the next day. She also mentioned changing clothes in the bathroom and an obsession with playing until she's winning. This last item in particular is one of the main indicators of problematic gambling.

A Different Example

Another celebrity is known for his love of blackjack. Ben Affleck has admitted to being a card counter in blackjack, and he's been banned from the blackjack tables at several casinos. However, Affleck's work at the tables has been centered around a desire to improve at the game as a skill, and he's a winning player within the rules of the game when left to his own devices. He's only been asked to leave because the casinos know that he can beat the game.

The difference between the two types of behavior is that Affleck isn't displaying compulsive gambling signs. While we wish the best for Iggy Azalea, it might be best for her to limit herself at the tables in some way before this particular vice gets even more out of control for her than it looks like it already is. Alternatively, she might want to take Affleck's approach and learn to get an edge on the games.