7 Biggest High Rollers You Need to Hear About

Whales, high-rollers, big-spenders – there’s something about a man or woman throwing millions around at a casino that gets your attention.

Throughout history casinos have relied on those with deep pockets to both keep the lights on, and keep things entertaining for all who enter the establishment. Some may be surprised to know that those stories you see in the movies of the sharp-dressed man betting double your net worth on single blackjack hand actually exist in real life.

In this article, I’ll highlight 7 of the biggest and most famous whales in casino gambling history.

1 – Phil Ivey

When it comes to a list of the biggest whales, Phil Ivey has to make the list every time.

Many people will find him recognizable after his time on the World Series of Poker tour, where he made a name for himself. However, his story goes much deeper than just the poker table.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that much of Phil Ivey’s career has been looked at through a lens of suspicion among those at the top of the gambling world. Part of the reason this cloud has developed over Ivey’s head has to do with a baccarat game played in London.

The game was high stakes, to the tune of an $11 million win. Unfortunately for Ivey, he was immediately accused of cheating afterwards, even though it still has never been determined whether or not he broke and rules.

This wasn’t the only big win Phil has over the years. A few months prior to his London escapades, he raked in nearly $9.6 million from an Atlantic City casino. This win, too, was under some suspicion.

Regardless of your opinion of Phil Ivey, one thing is for sure – no modern-era gambler is as recognizable, and no other player has as interesting of a story to tell.

2 – Kerry Packer

An Australian media mogul, Kerry Packer was no stranger to making big money decisions. His accumulated wealth led him to a lifestyle that included huge wagers on his favorite games at the casino.

Legend has it that he could bet up to half a million dollars on a single blackjack hand, and was no stranger to the roulette wheel. It is on record that he once wagered an astonishing $25 million on a single roulette spin, which he unfortunately lost.

Don’t feel too bad for him, though. Today he is still worth several billion dollars, so things turned out okay.

3 – Amarillo Slim

When someone gets the title of “best gambler of all-time,” that should turn your head. Amarillo Slim (talk about a nickname for a gambler) has been called this over the years, and his reputation backs it up.

Starting as a poker player from Texas, he would eventually branch out to other games. It was these exploits that would help carry him to fame on the international gambling scene.

He ended up being known for his goofy bets such as wagering that he could beat a horse in a 100-yard dash, beat a pro tennis player with a coke bottle, or beating a pool champion with a broomstick.

Legend has it that he used humorous tricks to get these wins, but they were still counted by those involved. Amarillo Slim passed away in 2012 at age 83, but his witty legacy has made him into one of the true legends in the world of betting.

4 – Bill Benter

Moving on from one of the most popular gamblers of all time, Bill Benter is considered to be the wealthiest gambler of all time. How did he amass his huge fortune? He developed an algorithm to predict horse racing in Hong-Kong in the mid-1980s, of course.

His story starts with a move to Las Vegas in his 20s, where he was soon introduced to the head of an Australian group that considered itself to be a card counting team. Impressed by the presentation his Australian friends put on, he joined the group and they began making money.

Benter began making a good living with the card counting operation, but he aspired to win even more by trying his luck at horse racing. Throughout his time in Vegas, he honed his skills in statistics and programming, and so he put together a system that he could apply to horse racing in Hong Kong.

Things got off to a bit of a rocky start for Benter, but he eventually turned it around. Today, his fortune sits at nearly $1 billion, most of it due to his horse racing ventures.

5 – Archie Karas

When someone becomes famous based off something simply referred to as “the run,” you know there’s going to be an interesting story behind it. In fact, the tale is one that nearly every amateur gambler dreams about, but hardly anyone ever achieves.

The Run started with Archie Karas in a casino with $50. Eventually, through a series of poker wins that are truly amazing, he ended up turning it into $40 million. It has been said that only one player beat him during his run.

The success wasn’t only on the poker table for Karas, as he reportedly won a couple million playing other pit games such as craps. Unfortunately, the luck would run out.

As many professional gambler stories do, Archie Karas fell on hard times that sent him on a downward spiral. After building his fortune, he would eventually lose nearly all of his money over the next two years. Eventually he would find himself in Nevada’s Black Book for cheating and other violations. He was even slapped with three years’ probation from the law.

Archie’s legacy will forever be the run he put together, and for that we can all appreciate his contribution to the world of gambling.

6 – Edward O. Thorp

If you want to believe that being a hugely successful gambler involves mostly luck, and that anybody can do it, the story of Edward Thorp might having you reconsidering.

A remarkably intelligent man, he was a mathematics professor, author, hedge fund manager, and most importantly (at least to some), a blackjack researching. And when I say researching, I mean developing something that every gambler has at least heard of today: card counting.

That’s right – Edward Thorp is the man that everyone has to thank for his contribution to blackjack. He published his book in 1962 that outlined blackjack strategy, and opened up the house to losses they had never experienced previously.

He eventually put his strategy to the test and discovered that he was able to yield $3,000 profit per hour on the blackjack table. My guess is that he’s made hundreds of millions (if not more) for other gamblers who have read his book and employed his strategy to their own games.

Regardless of what anyone’s opinion is on Edward Thorp, one thing is for sure, he made a lasting impact in the gambling world that nobody will ever forget.

7 – Zhenli Ye Gon

Those who spend a lot of time in casinos know that rich Asians are often the apple of the house’s eye. With deep pockets and no problem taking risks, they provide a good bit of income for casinos across the world each year.

Zhenli Ye Gon was a Chinese-Mexican businessman who also had a hand, allegedly, in the Mexican meth business. These claims are backed up by the fact police raided his Mexico City home and found nearly $200 million in cash.

His story doesn’t involve any one bet specifically, but the donation he provided to Vegas casinos show just how important they were to him throughout his life. After quitting gambling, he gave $120 million to Vegas casinos. In fact, he was such a high-spending customer at the Venetian, they give him a Rolls Royce as a way to say thank you.

When a Rolls Royce makes the list of comps you’ve received, you have officially cemented your status as a legendary gambler.

Conclusion

Learning about the lifestyles of the super-rich is inherently interesting. It’s made even more intriguing when you consider that these particular rich people wagered unimaginable fortunes at felt tables across the globe.

Most people will never reach these heights, but it’s proof that even a modest amount of money can turn into millions if you just get lucky enough.