Sports betting has been a popular pastime for countless individuals in the past few years.

This shared activity is popular due to its power to unite people in testing the accuracy of their prediction skills, while also giving them a platform to passionately support their favourite players or sports teams. In fact, this activity surged after a 2018 US Supreme Court decision legalized its practice in several states beyond Nevada. As a result, sports betting has found its way to the online realm allowing people to easily participate in online sport betting Zambia and live betting odds making it an accessible form of entertainment.

This fascination with sports betting is also a hit among professional athletes!

While regulatory constraints usually prohibit athletes from participating in online sports betting platforms, there have been renowned athletes throughout history who have displayed a strong fondness for this exhilarating pastime.

In this article, we explore three renowned athletes who have openly admitted to participating in sports betting.  

1. Michael Jordan

The ex-NBA and minor league basketball superstar is a huge fan of placing wagers. During his retirement, Jordan openly acknowledged that although some view his passion for betting as a form of gambling addiction, he personally perceives it as an addiction to the thrill of competition.

In fact, most fans of Jordan can attest that his feral competitiveness was already established early on in his career. He gambles for the thrill and continuously chases that feeling of winning big.

2. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. has made headlines not just for his dominance in the ring but also for his penchant for high-stakes sports betting.

Mayweather, Jr., a seasoned player in the realm of legal sports betting, is not one to keep his love for wagering hidden. Eager to showcase his prowess, he consistently flaunts his impressive betting slips on social media platforms, proudly presenting fruits of his victories across numerous thrilling sports spectacles.

Of course, the athlete still has a reputation to maintain so he never shared evidence of his losses, but only heard through rumors.

Nevertheless, Mayweather, Jr.’s extravagant betting habits reinforced his image as a flamboyant and larger-than-life personality.

3. Tiger Woods

An inductee of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Woods, who has been regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time, also enjoys occasional sports betting.

In fact, in one of his interviews, Woods pointed out that, “wagering is part of (golf) our sport, part of our culture”. Well, who can blame him? Woods has always been a favourite among sports bettors as he almost always performs great in tournaments.

Consequently, when Woods bets on games, he doesn’t get petty since his earnings from sports tournaments allow him to play big.

It is not hard to imagine that these renowned athletes would also be interested in trying their hand at predicting the outcomes of sports matches, just like citizens participating in online wagers on the Betway app or other similar online sites.

The fact that these exceptional individuals engage in sports betting demonstrates beyond their fearless expression of passion and excitement for competition beyond their chosen field. It shows that their dedication and enthusiasm for competitive sports cover all aspects, and this includes friendly wagers.