10 Biggest casino wins of all time
10 – $40 million – Archie Karas
The title of the largest casino win of all time belongs to a character by the name of Archie Karas. Karas, an audacious Greek émigré, had an irresistible penchant for poker. His tale is the stuff of legends—rising from standard to super-rich and plummeting back to scratch!
As a budding poker mogul, Archie took a leap of faith heading to Las Vegas to try his luck. He embarked on a historic streak, transforming his modest $50 stake into a gigantic $40 million treasure. This was nothing short of legendary, staking a claim among the greatest casino conquests ever, all from mere pocket change. Vegas rightly dubbed him 'The Run' for this jaw-dropping achievement.
While one wishes to conclude with a triumphant finale—him walking away with his win—Arche’s story regrettably ends on a bitter note, losing all his fortune.
9 – $38 million – A man known only as Peter
In the realm of online gaming triumphs, a mysterious 20-year-old Norwegian, known as Peter, holds the crown. Favoring the virtual casino space for recreation, Peter stumbled upon luck during one auspicious evening.
Engaging in some casual games, he daringly struck the elusive bonus trigger—the entire progressive jackpot. At that moment, a staggering $38 million was his—a reminder of the sky-high jackpots lurking in digital casinos.
While Kerry Packer's exact windfall remains a mystery, estimates hover between $38-40 million. His fortunes were minted at Las Vegas' celebrated MGM Grand Casino. progressive jackpot slots Despite the enormity of Kerry's jackpot, the whispers remain unclear about the financial effort it took. As a billionaire when he struck it rich, money was no object.
8 – $30 million – Kerry Packer
In a striking gesture, he was renowned for his grandiose generosity, frequently reshuffling over a million dollars in tips—ensuring joy spread throughout the casino.
Elmer Sherwin's story is a tale of extraordinary luck. He scaled the heights twice, almost at the same casino. After the Mirage opened in Las Vegas, Elmer ventured in and joyfully left with $4.6 million. Fast forward sixteen years, he returned to Las Vegas, challenging fate once more—this time succeeding at the Cannery Casino near the Mirage, capturing a $21 million boost!
At the bustling Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas, an enigmatic 'young engineer' captured attention with his monumental slot machine triumph.
7 – $25 million – Elmer Sherwin
Starting with a mere $100, fortune smiled, transforming his gamble into a spectacular $39 million. Rather than an upfront amount, he brokered a deal for yearly $1.5 million payouts.
In Las Vegas' legendary Gold Coast Casino, Tippin, a postal worker, took a shot and secured the Megabucks slot machine's jackpot, netting $12 million. His whirlwind story of winning didn't hold onto his wealth, but intrigues still linger through a book he penned about his fortune.
6 – $39.7 million – a young engineer
Amy Nishimura credits her slot machine bonanza to performing serenades to the machines until they paid off.
Her strategy proved successful during her visit to the Las Vegas Fremont Casino, reaping rewards after three hours by speaking sweetly to the machine and leaving $9 million richer.
5 – $12 million – John Tippin
Notorious as Newcastle United's billionaire owner, Ashley’s flair for casino tables is unchallenged.
In London's Fifty Casino, even a brief 15-minute roulette session during his visit ended lucratively—a $1.83 million improvement in his finances.
4 – $8.9 million – Amy Nishimura
Back in 2006, retired teacher Beverly Whitten channeled her free time into a quaint slot machine experience appropriately named 'Golden Chambers' at Mountaineer Casino and Resort. Three hours in, the sweet sound of a jackpot—$3.7 million richer later!
Crooked though he might be, famed fraudster Charles De Ville Wells audaciously claimed to have mastered casino games. Skeptics cried foul, yet he reportedly netted more than $1 million at Monte Carlo’s prestigious Casino in 1890.
3 – $1.84 million – Mike Ashley
Canada, too, boasts its own tales of casino grandeur—some freshly made include:
An unnamed Canadian stepped into Woodbine Racetrack Casino, nestled in Ontario, to find luck on his side with the $1 Megabucks jackpot slot. His inevitable departure saw him pocket a cool $4.7 million.
2 – $3.7 million – Beverly Whitten
Among the most jaw-dropping Canadian casino anecdotes is the unplanned victory of Shirley Lima. Completely by accident, she won the jackpot some years ago.
1 – $1 million – Charlie Wells
Treading into the OLG Casino Thousand Islands, she casually toyed with the slots. A fondness for penny games turned to chance luck elsewhere as she mistakenly hit max bet more than once.
This serendipitous blunder spirited a delightful jackpot of $33,858 her way. But Shirley isn’t the sole player basking in miraculous fortunes…
