• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
TechEngage®

TechEngage®

Technology news and opinions

  • Tech News
  • Reviews
  • How-to
  • Roundups
  • Science
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Space
  • Apps
  • More
    • Opinion
    • Noteworthy
    • Culture
    • Blockchain
      • Cryptocurrency
    • Events
    • Deals
    • Startups
      • Startup Submissions
  • Videos
TechEngage » Syndication

The biggest casino wins in history

Avatar Of Guest Author Guest Author October 15, 2020

Image of Dice

There’s no doubt that gambling is an exciting experience. Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, the potential of winning is always exciting. These 5 lucky people below have inspired players of casino games all around the world.

5 biggest casino wins of all time

Gloria McKensie – $590.5 Million. In May 2013, Gloria McKensie set a new record in winning the Powerball Lottery, making it to the top of the list of the greatest casino wins of all time. With chances of winning being 1 in 175 million, this 84-year-old grandma supposedly jumped the queue thanks to the kindness of a total stranger. Unfortunately for that person, they’d lost out on half a billion dollars. Rather than take the winnings over 30 regular annual installments, Gloria opted to cash out half of it straight away. Funnily enough, the town where she lives, Zephyrhills in Florida, survives on a budget equal to a mere one-tenth of her winnings!

Archie Karas – $40 Million. In December 1992, Archie Karas managed to lose $2 million in a poker game, leaving him only $50 when he headed to Vegas. Fortunately for him, when he met a friend at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino, he managed to borrow $10,000 with a 50% interest rate. His luck turned around, winning $17 million and paying off his debt. However, things then took a turn for the worst, when he then lost $17 million on baccarat and a further $2 million on poker. All of the casinos latched on throughout Nevada and Las Vegas, and he received a lifetime ban as a result.

Unknown Engineer – $39.7 Million. A man, who chose not to reveal his name, rather, referring to himself as a 25-year-old engineer from LA, entered the Excalibur Casino to pass some time before waiting for a baseball game. He deposited $100, able to win back $40 each time. His total winnings came to an impressive $39,713, 982.25. This was actually the amount of profit the venue was earning per month at the time. He was dubbed as receiving one of the highest payouts ever in Vegas, pretty impressive for someone looking to pass some time before a baseball game! Unlike some other winners, who took out a chunk of their earnings, this unknown man opted to take out $1.5 million over the next 25 years.

Kerry Packer – Between $20 and $40 Million. Australian billionaire Kerry Packer entered a Las Vegas Casino one night with a curiosity to play blackjack and baccarat. That initial curiosity led to him winning in the region of $20 and $40 million that same evening. Rather than keeping the money, he used it that same night at the MGM Grand, tipping some of the staff there up to $1 million in total. Unfortunately, this fortune was short-lived, when, after gambling in London, he managed to lose $28 million. Perhaps the moral of this story is, know the right time to quit.

Cynthia Jay-Brennan – $34.95 Million. As a way to pass some time, Cynthia had a go at a Megabucks slot machine while attending her mother in law’s birthday party. She never realized that by her 9th attempt, she’d manage to win $34.95 million, one of the biggest jackpots for this game at the time. With this life-changing sum of money, she was able to quit her job, travel the world, and marry her partner.

Big winnings don’t guarantee a positive future

Regardless of whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned professional, the chances of becoming a multi-millionaire from gambling are slim. However, there are the select few that do manage to win it big, even despite a lack of experience. Gloria McKensie holds the title of biggest ever win at a casino, taking away $590.5 million. Money like this is clearly life-changing, enabling the winner to quit their job, get married, or travel the world if they choose. Which is precisely what Cynthia Jay-Brennan did with her winnings.

On the other hand, big wins aren’t everything, as demonstrated again by Cynthia, who suffered the death of her sister and permanent disability after her involvement in a severe car accident. Then there’s the case of Kerry Packer. The multi-millionaire who didn’t know when to stop and lost all his winnings.

Related Stories

  • Esports Are Changing Our Mobile Behavior

    eSports are changing our mobile behavior

  • Why Dedicated Email Servers Are Good For Your Business

    Why Dedicated Email Servers Are Good for Your Business

  • Apple’S Eye-Opening New Figures And How Apps Have Become A Vital Part Of Life

    Apple’s eye-opening new figures and how apps have become a vital part of life

Avatar Of Guest Author

Guest Author

Guest Post Coverage

This post is written by a Guest Author on TechEngage.

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Please read our comment policy before submitting your comment. Your email address will not be used or publish anywhere. You will only receive comment notifications if you opt to subscribe below.

Primary Sidebar

Become a contributor

We are accepting contributor applications. All applications will be decided in 3 days after applying. To learn more click here.
TechEngage-Apple-News
TechEngage-Google-News
An illustration of a car vacuum cleaner

Best car vacuum cleaners in 2023

Best smart home apps for efficient control

Recent Stories

  • Samsung unveils Galaxy S23 series with “made for Galaxy” Snapdragon processor
  • Netflix crackdown nears as streaming giant tightens password sharing rules
  • Best ad blockers for desktop in 2023
  • Top Slack Alternatives in 2023
  • Apple strengthens account security with hardware keys support

Footer

Discover

  • About us
  • Newsroom
  • Staff
  • Advertise
  • Send us a tip
  • Startup Submission Questionnaire
  • Brand Kit
  • Contact us

Legal pages

  • Reviews Guarantee
  • Community Guidelines
  • Corrections Policy and Practice
  • Cookies Policy
  • Our Ethics
  • Disclaimer
  • GDPR Compliance
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Must reads

  • Best AirPods alternatives on Amazon
  • Best PC monitors for gaming on Amazon
  • Best family board games
  • Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) for gaming
  • Best video doorbells without subscription
  • Best handheld video game consoles
  • Best all-season tires for snow
  • Best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Best treadmills on Amazon
  • Best AM radios for long-distance reception

Download our apps

TechEngage-app-google-play-store

Copyright © 2023 · All Rights Reserved · TechEngage® is a Project of TechAbout LLC.
TechEngage® is a registered trademark in United Kingdom under Trademark Number UK00003417167 and is ISSN protected under the ISSN 2690-3776 and OCLC Number 1139335774.

Go to mobile version