Lil Baby Opens Up About Gambling Losses and Self-Exclusion

In an open admission of his gambling losses, rapper Dominique “Lil Baby” Armani Jones revealed that he once lost $8–9 million in a single day. Lil Baby revealed the startling specifics of his ordeal on Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place show. He gambled for forty hours before realizing the extent of his losses and making the decision to permanently stop.

A Turning Point for the Rapper

“I lost like $8 million, $9 million. I made myself stop gambling,” Lil Baby said. He went on to explain that he took further action by enlisting Mike Rubin, founder and CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, to help him avoid future temptations. Rubin, who is well-known for his role in the sports betting industry and has forged a strong friendship with Lil Baby, facilitated the rapper’s self-exclusion by writing a letter to every casino, effectively banning him from gambling establishments.

Rubin is also the man behind Fanatics Sportsbook and Fanatics Casino, which operate in more than 20 states. His personal relationship with Lil Baby, developed through their business dealings in sports apparel with Mitchell & Ness and other ventures, played a pivotal role in the rapper’s decision to quit gambling.

Lil Baby’s decision to quit gambling is in line with a broader trend of responsible gaming initiatives, particularly the use of self-exclusion programs in regulated casinos. These programs allow players to voluntarily remove themselves from gambling activities for a set period, with some opting for permanent exclusions.

For example, New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has made self-exclusion easier by launching a 24/7 online portal. This tool enables individuals to add themselves to the self-exclusion list without needing to meet with a state official. Mary Jo Flaherty, DGE’s interim director, emphasized that making the process more accessible is key to encouraging responsible gaming. She stated, “This new online option empowers individuals with a private and efficient way to make decisions about their gaming habits, ensuring they have the resources they need to prioritize their well-being.”