When power alone just isn’t enough

We’ve all heard of the celebrities and athletes who are notorious gamblers. Ben Affleck, Charlie Sheen, Tiger Woods, and Charles Barkley are only a few of the high rollers who both make and gamble millions. But we’re not talking about celebrities today – we’re talking about a different type of famous. We’re talking authority, monarchy, presidency – we’re talking about Heads of State.

That’s right. Throughout history kings, queens and presidents, when not making war or plotting against their political rivals in the perennial power game, have loved to gamble. By nature those drawn to power are real risk takers and games of chance and skill are an inevitable draw for many. In this life-at-a-glance infographic we take a sneak peak at 12 heads of state who loved to gamble and craved the thrill of the win.

Poker playing kings, queens and presidents

play now

A staff writer at Planet 7, Kate Church is an avid reader, professional writer and lover of games. After taking her Bachelor of Arts degree in English writing and a minor in journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, Kate has traveled the world, seeking out adventure, knowledge and games of skill and chance.