Hollywood stunner Christina Ricci has admitted to being obsessed with gambling after spending some time in Australia.

In fact the star of blockbuster films such as Sleepy Hollow has grown to love a flutter so much that she has turned her attentions to the Blackjack table and even attended the opening party of the new Palazzo casino resort in Las Vegas.

"I've learned to love gambling," the 27 year old told People magazine. "I was in Australia for a few months and gambling is like a national pastime there, so I learned to love betting on horses, and now I even put in a few football bets and I'm kind of obsessed and into it. Gambling is pretty good."

At the casino the 27-year-old mostly stayed on the Blackjack tables playing against model and actress Angie Harmon and actor Jerry O' Connell and the magazine reports that she was pretty good.

However the actress admitted that she is no great shakes at backing horses.

"I have no strategy with horses and I never pick winners," she confessed. "But it's still fun."

Patrons are allowed bet in many Australian bars as the industry is under the strict regulation of the Government.

While other nationalities may question the logic behind placing a betting shop of sorts within a bar most in Australia seem to have no problem with it.

As a source of Government and State revenue the betting system is incredibly lucrative and though some will question its ethical merits the liberal betting policy has helped swell tax coffers in Australia over the last decade.

Most Australians will bet at some stage throughout the year with the Australian Football Rules season and the Melbourne Cup attracting the most attention.