In September 2025, Jay-Z’s high-profile bid to construct a New York Times Square casino was rejected by a state advisory committee. Jay-Z, with Caesars Entertainment and SL Green Realty, had envisioned a massive entertainment complex with a casino, hotel, and nightlife spots under his Roc Nation brand. While Jay-Z might have 99 problems, running a large casino is no longer one.
The bid was turned down amidst protests by Broadway theaters’ owners and local leaders over the potential impact of the bid on the neighborhood’s culture, traffic, and community balance. Despite the turn-down, the bid highlighted how celebrities are being drawn more and more to entertainment and amusement-based businesses. Modern casino culture is also found online, where online platforms like Coin Poker AU are pioneering new ground in online gaming by merging poker with blockchain. With Jay-Z’s bid being rejected, more New York residents might have to stick to playing online for now.
Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary film director, is a case in point of a Hollywood star who pursued a personal interest and made it a money-spinner. His Sonoma County winery is now a major tourist attraction, offering both fine wine and tourist destination status. Coppola’s love of wine is part of his desire to create art beyond the screen, combining storytelling and the culture of the host.
Robert De Niro is always renowned for his intensity on screen, but his business tactics are no less calculated. He joined forces with Nobu, now the iconic restaurant chain that prepares Japanese cuisine. From its New York roots, Nobu has spread across the globe with dozens of restaurants and upscale hotels. De Niro’s good taste in talent and his support of chef Nobu Matsuhisa transformed one dining area into an international giant.
Mark Wahlberg is the most visible example of an actor who has diversified into numerous fields. With his brothers Donnie and Paul, he established Wahlburgers, a casual restaurant chain that has grown to have locations in the United States, Canada, and abroad. The chain even spawned a reality television show, adding to its exposure.
In addition to burgers, Wahlberg has made a mark in the global fitness industry. His F45 Training investment, which is an international chain of high-intensity exercise fitness gyms, is an indication of his celebrity persona as a self-disciplined and physically dedicated human being. Through Wahlburgers and F45, Wahlberg demonstrates how celebrities can leverage their own brand and use it to build successful businesses that resonate with mass consumers.
While these might be the most noteworthy businesses Wahlberg owns, he does, in fact, own several other businesses too, from his own clothing line to bottled water; his reach extends far beyond Hollywood these days.
