Casinos have long been places where fortunes are made and lost. While most gamblers walk away with less than they started with Super Ace Deluxe, a lucky few have defied the odds and walked away with life-changing sums. Here are some of the biggest casino wins in history and the fascinating stories behind them.
1. Archie Karas – The $40 Million Streak
One of the most legendary gambling runs in history belongs to Archie Karas, a Greek-American gambler who turned $50 into over $40 million. In 1992, he arrived in Las Vegas with just $50 in his pocket. Borrowing $10,000 from a friend, he started playing high-stakes poker and pool. Over the next three years, he went on an unprecedented winning streak, playing against some of the best poker players in the world. However, his luck eventually ran out, and he lost nearly all of his winnings by 1995.
2. Elmer Sherwin – The Megabucks Miracle (Twice!)
Elmer Sherwin made history by winning the Megabucks jackpot twice. The first win came in 1989 when he won $4.6 million at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Unlike many winners who burn through their money quickly, Sherwin was careful with his fortune. Sixteen years later, at the age of 92, he hit the jackpot again—this time winning a staggering $21 million at the Cannery Casino. He donated much of his winnings to charity and lived comfortably until his passing.
3. Kerry Packer – The High Roller’s Dream
Australian billionaire Kerry Packer was known for his fearless gambling. In the 1990s, he walked into a Las Vegas casino and, in a matter of hours, won between $20 million and $40 million playing blackjack and baccarat. Packer was known for betting millions per hand, often tipping dealers six-figure sums. His legendary wins and losses cemented his place in casino history.
4. Anonymous Los Angeles Software Engineer – $39.7 Million Slot Win
In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles visited the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and decided to try his luck on a Megabucks slot machine. He inserted $100, spun the reels, and won an astonishing $39.7 million—the largest slot machine jackpot in history at the time. He chose to remain anonymous and opted for an annual payout over 25 years.
5. Jon Heywood – The Online Casino Jackpot
Not all massive wins happen in brick-and-mortar casinos. In 2015, Jon Heywood, a British soldier, won £13.2 million (around $17.2 million) from a 25p ($0.30) spin on the online slot game Mega Moolah. His win set a Guinness World Record for the largest online slot payout. Heywood used his winnings to care for his ill father and buy a luxury car but remained humble about his newfound fortune.
Final Thoughts
These incredible stories prove that sometimes, luck is all you need to strike it rich. However, casinos are designed to ensure the house always wins in the long run. While these winners defied the odds, gambling should always be done responsibly and for entertainment purposes. Who knows? Maybe the next big winner could be you!
