If you like to play casino games, you’re certainly aware of how fun this hobby can be. No matter if you prefer the land-based venues or the online approach, there is a huge array of options available, which is why it should not come as a surprise that there are countless interesting casino stories that we can hear. Ranging from funny and fortunate to unfortunate and illegal, here are some stories that will blow your mind.
Getting deported after a win.
A fate that no gambler wants to see is not being able to withdraw their winnings. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened to a woman in Arizona that won $1,200 at a local casino. At the cash booth, she was asked to show her passport in order to get the money, which she could not do. After being questioned, it was established that she was not in the United States legally. She was later deported to Mexico and did not get to keep any money. While having a legal ID is vital in preventing situations like these, opting for online casino games in a country where gambling is legal is a much better way of ensuring you get your winnings. For example, when playing on online casinos like www.skycitycasino.com, you can rest assured that your data is protected and that you will get your money.
Saving FedEx with a legendary blackjack session.
You know of FedEx, but did you know that its chairman Fred Smith gambled his way to riches? While it’s a well-known fact that entrepreneurs take risks when diversifying their portfolios, gambling is not something they would all try. Smith took part in a legendary blackjack session in Vegas in 1973 to pay off a $24,000 fuel debt but ended up being one of the richest people in the world after turning his $5,000 into $27,000. As of 2022, his net worth is estimated to be $4.5 billion.
Having to return your winnings.
Have you heard of Phil Ivey? He is an American professional poker player that has been introduced to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2017. While he’s best known for his poker games, he also dabbles in other games. Back in 2012, he reportedly won $12 million on Punto Banco. However, the casino in London refused to pay out the money as he reportedly cheated at this game of baccarat by using edge-sorting. Then, in 2014, the Atlantic City-based Borgata Casino sued Ivey for supposedly taking advantage of a manufacturing defect of the cards and using the same technique of cheating. He was ordered to pay back the money to the Borgata while it was reported that they reached a settlement in 2020.
Risking it all.
Fans of roulette might be looking for a fun story involving this game. Luckily, it has a happy ending. Ashley Revell decided to empty his bank account and sell everything he had in order to put it all on a roulette spin. He bet his $136,000, waited for the ball to land, and in 20 seconds, had $272,000. While this is a truly stunning turn of events, it should go without saying that you should not bet everything you own as the potential of losing it all is huge.
Robbing a bank just to gamble.
Although putting everything you own on the line can sound too outlandish, wait until you hear about Kerry Johnson. He was arrested in West Virginia in 2016 for leaving his blackjack table, going to a local bank and robbing it, and returning to play a few more games. He allegedly demanded money from the bank after claiming he had a weapon and a bomb. There was video proof that led to his arrest.
Racking up lucky rolls.
If you love hearing about unbelievable odds, you’ll love the fact that the odds for the following event are 1 in 1.56 trillion. Patricia Demauro was visiting the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa and got tired of slots. She decided to move onto craps, despite only playing the game once. Demauro started with $100 dollars, picked up the orange dice, and managed to win 154 rolls in a row. Playing for four hours and 18 minutes straight, she actually broke the world record for most successive dice rolls without hitting a seven. While she never said how much money she got, experts believe that it’s surely hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions.
Thinking about the future.
The last casino story has not been confirmed exactly but it’s interesting to hear about. Allegedly, back in 2010, an 8-year-old from Chandigarh, India won half a million dollars through his uncle’s poker account. While some sources say that the casino refused to pay out the money, others say he also managed to win some smaller amounts and get paid via PayPal, and also that the boy’s family sued the casino. Whatever the story was, we might have a new big name in poker soon.