From tech moguls and chefs to famous artists, quite a few celebrities hailing from Africa have a reputation for enjoying a good gamble. Some are in it for charitable causes, while others are in it for the thrills and chance of winning big.
These six African celebrities are among the best-known for their successful careers and their connections to the gambling world.
1. Elon Musk (South African)
When you hear Elon Musk’s name, you likely don’t think of Africa or gambling, but both are connected to this eccentric, high-profile billionaire. Although he currently resides in Boca Chica, Texas, Musk was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and owns X (formerly Twitter).
Since acquiring X, Musk partnered with the well-known gambling company BetMGM to bring the betting odds for the US Super Bowl to the social media platform and directly link to the BetMGM gaming site.
However, the sports betting venture hasn’t been the only time Musk’s interest in gambling has been made public. His father, Errol Musk, says he taught Musk how to gamble at 16, bringing him to a casino where they lived in South Africa.
2. Siba Mtongana (South African)
Celebrity chef Siba Mtongana has become a household name worldwide. She has a show on the Food Network called Siba’s Table and has established a fine dining restaurant. In addition to these, she has formed the company The Siba Co, written a best-selling cookbook, and curated the menu for the inauguration of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
But Mtongana’s success didn’t come overnight. She built a resume guiding her towards this success. At first glance, her resume appears widely varied, but it’s the perfect background for her celebrity chef status: she’s a food sciences and nutrition major and was once a food editor for a magazine and a model.
On top of being a wildly successful entrepreneur and chef, she’s also charitable. She tested her luck at a celebrity rendition of Deal or No Deal South Africa. It may not be gambling in the traditional sense, but it still involved Mtongana playing the odds and hedging her bets to raise money for her charity of choice.
3. Tekno Miles (Nigerian)
Born Augustine Miles Kelechi Okechukwu but known by his stage name Tekno Miles, this Nigerian artist started shaping his musical talent at just eight years old. Today, he has made a name for himself in the music industry, going on tours all over the world showcasing his Afrobeats sound that brings in elements from Afropop, R&B, and hip-hop.
Though he started gaining popularity in 2013, it wasn’t until 2020 that he released a full-fledged album. But the wait seems to have been worth it, as he’s been dubbed the King of Afropop. Two years after his album release, his success and fame helped him secure a brand ambassador deal with Bitcasino.
He’s known to play at the online casino using crypto, and, given his success, finding a promotion that does not require a deposit is likely the last thing on his mind. On the Bitcasino website, Tekno Miles has even shared the songs he loves to listen to while he plays.
4. King Kaka (Kenyan)
One of the best-known Kenyan rappers is King Kaka, though some might better know him as Rabbit, the stage name he started his rapping career with.
King Kaka developed a musical presence that spans the globe thanks to the many collaborations he’s formed throughout his career, including working with Jorma Taccone from The Lonely Island’s musical comedy trio and comedic actor Tracy Morgan.
King Kaka’s love for and skill at gambling are well known. He recently made headlines for his win in betting on Real Madrid to win the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League, as he gave live updates on his wagering through his social media accounts. His interest in gambling is so strong that he’s even become a brand ambassador for Sportsbet.io.
5. Tiwa Savage (Nigerian)
Actress and singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage, born Tiwatope Omolara Savage, hails from Lagos, Nigeria. Her musical abilities skyrocketed her to fame, bringing with it a collaboration with the ever iconic Beyoncé and the opportunity to tour around the world.
More recently, Savage has also tested her acting abilities. She secured the lead role in the movie Water and Garri, which debuted on Amazon Prime this past May. She even added her musical skills to the film by contributing to the soundtrack.
On top of being a talented creative, Savage earned a reputation for gambling in 2018, with a photo of her playing a casino table game making headlines. The photo was met with controversy. The media nitpicked who she was playing with, what she was drinking, and the large pile of cash sitting on the table. She never seemed to address the controversy, though, and she kept creating.
6. Wizkid (Nigerian)
Wizkid is another singer and songwriter from Nigeria who has risen to fame thanks to his musical skill and talent. His success worldwide is credited to Drake, who remixed his song “Ojuelegba.” Since then, Wizkid has collaborated with other huge music names, including Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Kyla, and Chris Brown.
Alongside his music career, Wizkid has also made headlines for his gambling pursuits with his music peers (like Tekno Miles and Davido). While he’s never created a formal relationship with the gambling world by being a brand ambassador, it seems clear that gambling is a part of his lifestyle.
Conclusion
Whether a celebrity earned their status for skilful cooking, musical talents, or becoming one of the wealthiest people on earth, gambling is an unexpected commonality across these six celebrities and their diverse skills and backgrounds.
