Arandeep Larson 
If you’re into gambling, you might be curious to hear the stories behind some of the greatest gamblers in history. These iconic casino winners have all made headlines due to their skill at the tables – and these tales will have you laughing out loud!
They’re also the people responsible for building Las Vegas’ billion-dollar casino industry. Nicholas Pileggi, author of #1 best-selling Mafia expose Wiseguy (which Martin Scorsese made into Oscar-winning film GoodFellas), provides an intimate inside look at love, marriage, adultery, murder and revenge within this neon money machine known as Las Vegas casinos.
Hippodrome Casino
Hippodrome Casino is one of London’s most iconic casinos. Situated right by Leicester Square, it’s a must-visit for anyone visiting the capital.
It has previously been a theatre and music hall, but is now an expansive casino with clubs, restaurants and bars spread out over four floors. Plus there’s even a 2-tiered smoking terrace – making this place perfect if you like to smoke!
The Hippodrome Casino boasts an extensive selection of games from roulette to video poker. Additionally, they have several casino tables such as blackjack, dice and baccarat for your enjoyment.
The Hippodrome casino boasts an extensive selection of slots from Microgaming and NetEnt. With over 350 top titles to choose from, there’s something for everyone at this casino! Additionally, players can take advantage of special bonuses like earning up to PS50 in welcome bonuses!
Sun City Resort
Sun City Resort is one of South Africa’s most luxurious and decadent resorts. Its lavish casino boasts more than forty games including poker, blackjack, roulette and craps; plus it has a Salon Prive where high stakes gamers can play in tranquility.
Sol Kerzner, the hotel magnate who built it, wanted it to be more than a gambling den. His strategy relied on its location within Bophuthatswana – a semi-independent nation declared by South African’s apartheid regime in 1979.
Sun City not only offered top-class gambling and topless revue shows, but it also created a safe haven where guests could break South Africa’s anti-black and pro-white laws. It became an entertainment Mecca with foreign artists such as Queen and Frank Sinatra performing despite boycotts.
These days, the resort is striving to reinvent itself as an opulent family holiday destination. However, it still struggles with its dark past.
Terrance Watanabe
Terrance Watanabe inherited his father’s party supply business in 1977, which eventually grew to $300 million annually. In 2000 he sold it to a private equity firm for an impressive fortune.
Unfortunately, his gambling and alcohol problem would soon thwart his ambitions in life. He spent too much time at casinos, bingeing on alcohol and losing millions of dollars.
His gambling sprees would take him to Las Vegas, where he would stay at the tables 24 hours a day and sometimes lose $5 million in one hand of blackjack. Additionally, he amassed massive debts at Harrah’s casino, which was later acquired by Caesars Entertainment, that he failed to repay.
Once his gambling and alcohol abuse was discovered, he sought rehab to recover. Although eventually released from rehab, charges would follow for not paying Harrah’s $112 million for losses incurred during that period.
Archie Karas
Archie Karas is a gambling legend who arrived in Las Vegas with just $50 and went on to win $40 million. He remains one of the greatest winners in Vegas history, his story will be remembered forever.
He earned money betting on shooting marbles as a teenager, but this wasn’t enough to support his family back home in Greece.
He then learned how to play pool in Los Angeles and moved onto poker, where he began winning some prizes.
After some time, he started making more money playing pool than waiting tables. But he soon realized that his routine had become monotonous and wanted to try something different.
He came up with the brilliant idea of going to Las Vegas during this period, and this decision cemented his place in history as one of the iconic figures in sports. It marked the beginning of “The Run,” his signature song which would go on to become immensely successful.
