Las Vegas Weekly

July 2, 2008 · 6 AM

Charles Barkley breaks gambling vow for a good cause

By Robin Leach

Jason Kidd plans to ante up for charity.

Less than two months after paying off a $400,000 marker to the Wynn Las Vegas that he'd "forgotten about," former NBA star Charles Barkley said he'd give up gambling in Vegas for the next couple of years. Now he's breaking the promise -- but it's so he can donate his winnings to a good pal, actor Don Cheadle.

Charles, a former Phoenix Suns star and now an NBA analyst for Turner Network Television, is one of more than a dozen celebrities who arrived at the Rio resort casino Wednesday for the second annual "Ante Up for Africa" poker tournament, organized by Don and poker pro Annie Duke. The money will support the Darfur region of the Sudan, where about 300,000 people have died and 2 1/2 million more have been uprooted since the ethnic warfare began in 2003.

Don -- and Charles -- will be joined by Oceans 13 actor-pal Matt Damon, who played a year ago, plus Ben Affleck, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, George Lopez and poker pros Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson, Andy Bloch, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Laak and others.

Last year, Don's first poker tournament raised more than $700,000 -- and this year he's hoping to top the $1 million mark.

"I was elated we did that last year -- our first year," Don said. "I hope we can raise even more this year, and I am so grateful for everybody’s participation and generosity in helping us continue to bring the plight of the Darfur refugees to the forefront of people's minds." His partner, Annie Duke, added: "We are looking forward to another exciting year raising awareness for this ongoing crisis. It is exciting to bring the worlds of entertainment and poker together and we are once again asking players who win prize money to donate at last half their winnings to our charity." Charles has vowed to donate 100 percent of his winnings.

Said Barkley after he paid off the $400,000 debt to Wynn Las Vegas and a further $40,000 in district attorney fees: "Just because I can afford to lose money doesn't mean I should do it. For right now, I'm not going to gamble the next year or two." In a candid ESPN interview he estimated he'd lost $10 million while gambling since he began playing.

Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, who will play alongside Charles on Wednesday, said he'd seen Barkley in a casino after a May golf tournament in Palm Springs. "He was on the wagon though," Jason said. "He's strong and he didn't gamble. When he decides on something he keeps his word. But to donate all your winnings for this cause is something special and he can't be faulted for breaking his pledge for such a worthy cause."

The fast-paced tournament should see a winner after just five hours of play and fans can watch it as part of the ongoing World Series of Poker at the Rio. WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack commented: "The poker community has a unique opportunity to help ease the suffering in Darfur. The stars are coming out for this special event once again. We encourage everyone to come and support them."

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