Pete Rose places first bet at Cincinnati Hard Rock Casino

Baseball's hit king is embracing his embattled past, placing the first bet at a new Cincinnati casino. Pete Rose, 80, placed the inaugural bet at the blackjack table inside the newly-rebranded Cincinnati Hard Rock Casino on Friday. Rose got a blackjack — dealt a 21 on the casino's first hand. The Cincinnati Hard Rock Casino is now officially rebranded and reopened to the public.Rose was just one of the big names on the casino's celebrity guest list. Alongside Rose was Drew Lachey (of 98 Degrees fame), Bootsy Collins (of Parliament-Funkadelic) and Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart.There was also a live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire, whose hits include “Shining Star,” “Sing a Song,” “September” and “After the Love Has Gone.”Gambling, of course, has kept Rose out of Baseball's Hall of Fame.Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 after an investigation found he placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985-87 while playing for and managing the team. The Hall of Fame voted to exclude individuals on the permanently ineligible list from being inducted. For years, Rose was adamant that he was innocent. But in 2004, he admitted to betting on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds — but never betting against his own team. His career is certainly Hall-of-Fame worthy. A member of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine, Rose is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and singles (3,215). Noted for his all-around ability and enthusiasm, he was referred to as Charlie Hustle — taking home three World Series titles, one MVP award, two Gold Gloves and a Rookie of the Year award (1963), among dozens of other accolades. BELOW VIDEO: PETE ROSE SMASHES GUITAR TO OPEN HARD ROCK CASINO

CINCINNATI —

Baseball's hit king is embracing his embattled past, placing the first bet at a new Cincinnati casino.

Pete Rose, 80, placed the inaugural bet at the blackjack table inside the newly-rebranded Cincinnati Hard Rock Casino on Friday.

Rose got a blackjack — dealt a 21 on the casino's first hand.

The Cincinnati Hard Rock Casino is now officially rebranded and reopened to the public.

Rose was just one of the big names on the casino's celebrity guest list. Alongside Rose was Drew Lachey (of 98 Degrees fame), Bootsy Collins (of Parliament-Funkadelic) and Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart.

There was also a live performance by Earth, Wind & Fire, whose hits include “Shining Star,” “Sing a Song,” “September” and “After the Love Has Gone.”

Gambling, of course, has kept Rose out of Baseball's Hall of Fame.

Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball in 1989 after an investigation found he placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985-87 while playing for and managing the team. The Hall of Fame voted to exclude individuals on the permanently ineligible list from being inducted.

For years, Rose was adamant that he was innocent. But in 2004, he admitted to betting on baseball games while playing for and managing the Reds — but never betting against his own team.

His career is certainly Hall-of-Fame worthy. A member of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine, Rose is the all-time MLB leader in hits (4,256), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053) and singles (3,215). Noted for his all-around ability and enthusiasm, he was referred to as Charlie Hustle — taking home three World Series titles, one MVP award, two Gold Gloves and a Rookie of the Year award (1963), among dozens of other accolades.

BELOW VIDEO: PETE ROSE SMASHES GUITAR TO OPEN HARD ROCK CASINO