STAR PLAYERS: HEY, BIG SPENDERS

Celine Dion In her autobiography, My Story, My Dream, Celine admits her husband Rene Angelil's gambling put a strain on their marriage. 'His numerous trips to Las Vegas were sometimes disastrous,' she says. In one marathon 141-hour spree, he reportedly lost about $31,000 (pounds 20,000) an hour, with losses totalling $4.3 million (pounds 2.8 million).

Kevin Costner Kevin and David Arquette created a stir in Vegas when they filmed 3,000 Miles To Graceland, their flop movie about an Elvis Presley convention, at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. 'Between takes, Costner would play blackjack and David would play craps, still dressed in their Elvis costumes,' says John Neeland, the Riviera's publicity manager. 'You'd see people wander by and do double takes. But the pair were very accommodating. They let people sit next to them and take photographs.'

Michael Owen Being a top sportsman doesn't leave much room for vice, but he does like the odd flutter. The 23-year-old striker is said to have spent a fortune on horses and football via offshore gambling accounts. Well, if you earn pounds 70,000 a week, you've got to do something with it...

Gladys Knight The singer says she's lost a fortune in Las Vegas. Finally, after losing $45,000 (pounds 28,000) one night, she called Gamblers Anonymous, and hasn't been back to the tables since.

Kiefer Sutherland In one wild weekend, Kiefer blew a cool $250,000 (pounds 160,000) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and the MGM Grand Hotel.

Martin Sheen The West Wing star loves to play the Vegas slot machines. 'I just become a little boy again,' he explains. 'I know I'm not going to win a nickel, but I'll sit for hours and not think of anything else in the world.' He's been a regular since 1966. 'I stopped there on a bus from LA to New York to get a bite to eat. I started playing a slot machine, missed my bus, lost $40 and had to pawn my watch for $30. What does that tell you about Las Vegas? Don't get off the bus.'

Britney Spears Dear me. The sweet innocent Britters of yesteryear seems to be a thing of the past. She smokes, she drinks, she's even been out with Colin Farrell. What could be more vice-ridden than that? But just to make sure she has the full complement of vices, Britney's taken up gambling. The 21-year-old was spotted splashing her cash at the casino in the Palms hotel in Las Vegas last month. But rumour has it, Brit was a bit of natural and walked away from the blackjack table with a cool pounds 16,000. Hit me baby one more time indeed.

Ben Affleck Back in his boozing days, Ben went on one of Vegas's most talked-about gambling binges, playing blackjack in the high rollers' Peacock Lounge at the Hard Rock. By the time he gathered up his chips in the early hours of Saturday morning, he'd won $800,000 (pounds 500,000). Then he added to his legend - by tossing $150,000 (pounds 95,000) in tips to the dealers.

George Clooney George is a dab hand with the ladies, but not so hot when it comes to courting Lady Luck. 'I hold the record for the most blackjack losses in Vegas,' he admits. It happened when George was staying at the Bellagio, making Ocean's Eleven. 'George lost 25 hands in a row,' says his co-star Matt Damon. 'Professional gamblers were pulling back their chips until George left. It was like he was jinxing the place.'

Bruce Willis When Bruce plays blackjack at the Mirage in Vegas, he's prized for being a 'premium player' - one who may bet $250,000 (pounds 160,000) a visit.

Matt Damon Matt has been a regular at the tables since he arrived in Vegas in 1998 to film Rounders, in which he played a high-stakes poker player. To gain experience, he entered the World Series of Poker at Binion's Horseshoe Casino. He promptly lost his $10,000 entry stake. 'He plays in the tournament every year,' says the Riviera's John Neeland. 'He's never won, which isn't a surprise. He's up against the best poker players in the world.'

Jo O'Meara

But celebrity gambling isn't all high rolling for big bucks in Vegas. Ex S Clubber Jo is another star who's not averse to a bit of betting, but her particular vice is bingo. She's been spotted popping into her local bingo club in Barkingside, Essex, up to four times a week and spends hours on the pounds 500 jackpot machine. Bless.

CELEBRITY CHEAPSKATES

J.Lo The usually excessive Latina lovely showed her miserly side while in Vegas recently. Fiance Ben Affleck was in his famously generous poker-playing mood, and offered the dealer a pounds 3,000 tip. But Jen quickly took back the cash and gave the dealer a pile of chips worth just pounds 180, proving you definitely shouldn't be fooled by the rocks that she's got.

Tiger Woods When he's not hitting the links, Tiger loves to hit the tables at the Hard Rock Hotel. Once, while playing blackjack for $10,000 (pounds 6,300) a hand with his girlfriend, Elin Nordigren, at his side, a cocktail waitress stopped by his table with some drinks. The golfing superstar tipped her $5 (pounds 3), but when Elin reminded Tiger he'd tipped her earlier, he reached up and took his $5 back.

Anna Nicole Smith Anna Nicole was voted meanie of the week by a Las Vegas radio station recently. The reality TV star borrowed $20 from a waitress in a Nevada casino after complaining she'd left her purse in her hotel suite. Minutes later Anna was spotted 'whooping it up, dancing between the machines' after hitting a $10,000 jackpot. 'Anna repaid me, but I thought a little tip might have been in order,' the waitress says. 'I guess I thought wrong...'

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