In the whale world you go big or you go home, so enjoy a few of the eyebrow-raising, real-life Las Vegas whale stories we\u2019ve collated below\u2026<\/p>\n
1. Edward \u201cTiger Mike\u201d Davis<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Edward](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Edward-Tiger-Mike-Davis.jpg\")
Edward \u201cTiger Mike\u201d Davis (Image Credit: CNBC.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you\u2019re interested in old-school whales, look no further than former oil tycoon \u201cTiger Mike\u201d for the quintessential example.\u00a0 The businessman passed away in 2016 aged 85, but is still remembered for being one of the biggest gamblers Sin City has ever seen<\/a>.<\/p>\nHe reportedly wore specially-tailored suits with inside pockets for cash and a pistol and stashed hundreds of thousands of dollars in the trunk of his car. In fact, he was apparently such a high-spending patron of Wynn Las Vegas that he was given his own villa on the premises by owner Steve Wynn.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s rumored Davis was not the exactly the \u2018God of Gamblers\u2019, supposedly losing millions across the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and Wynn, and is said to have intentionally spent his final months gambling away much of his remaining fortune.<\/p>\n
2. Archie Karas<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Archie](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/archie_karas.jpg\")
Archie Karas (Image Credit: ABC News)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGambling stories don\u2019t get much better than this. Sounding much like the plot of a Hollywood movie, Karas\u2019s rags to riches story<\/a> is better PR than any casino could dream up.<\/p>\nA Greek immigrant who arrived in America, learnt how to play poker and then turned up in Vegas with only $50 in his pocket, Karas went on a three-year winning streak and turned that $50 into a whopping $40m.<\/p>\n
Often said to wager $100k per hand, Karas eventually lost his fortune, was reportedly caught cheating and is now banned from all casinos in Nevada. He\u2019s said to still be gambling, but it\u2019s not quite a silver screen-worthy ending.<\/p>\n
3. Terrance Watanabe<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Terrance](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Terrance-Watanabe-2.jpg\")
Terrance Watanabe (Image Credit: Las Vegas Sun)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSpecially imported vodka, a three-room suite and a $17m gambling limit were all American businessman Watanabe\u2019s to enjoy. Sounds great, right?<\/p>\n
But with such high stakes comes responsibility. This notorious whale lost $127m at Caesars Palace and The Rio in 2007, according to reports, after being banned from Wynn Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
With stories of excessive drinking, 24-hour gambling and even sleepwalking doing the rounds, Terry\u2019s story quickly spun from a win to a loss and became a tragic cautionary tale. Casinos attempted to sue for unpaid debts, which led to a counter-suit from the businessman, before a settlement was eventually reached out of court.<\/p>\n
4. Kerry Packer<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"Kerry](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Kerry-Packer.jpeg\")
Kerry Packer (Image Credit: News.com.au)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDubbed \u2018The Prince of Whales\u2019, Australian media mogul Kerry Packer<\/a> was a prolific gambler in the 1990s.<\/p>\nAccording to The Independent, the multimillionaire once \u201ctook the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for $20m\u201d in just 40 minutes, which is no mean feat.<\/p>\n
While playing blackjack, he\u2019s said to have bet up to $250,000 on a betting square, before tipping<\/a> each dealer $2,500. Phew.<\/p>\n5. Ramon DeSage<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ramon-DeSage.jpg\")
Ramon DeSage (Image Credit: Las Vegas Review Journal)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOne of the most notorious Las Vegas whales, who has been making a splash in the headlines as recently as September 2019, when he was sentenced to three years in prison. His charge? \u201cCheating the IRS out of more than $28m\u201d according to Las Vegas Review Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\nIt\u2019s believed his illicit activities were, in part, due to an attempt to maintain his glamorous lifestyle and repay millions in gambling losses at Vegas casinos \u2014 where he had wagered and lost around $175M. That would make him one of the biggest gamblers to ever grace the Strip.<\/p>\n
Wait, what\u2019s the difference between a whale and a high roller?<\/strong><\/h2>\nHow do you spot a Las Vegas whale in the wild? Grab your binoculars and look out for those tell-tale signs such as abundant perks and incentives<\/a>. Regular comps from casinos for super high-rollers are said to include extended credit, discounts on losses, exclusive use of tables with high limits, private rooms and concerts, use of limos and private jets, penthouse suites, and free food.<\/p>\nFind out more about high-roller perks this video:<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in old-school whales, look no further than former oil tycoon \u201cTiger Mike\u201d for the quintessential example.\u00a0 The businessman passed away in 2016 aged 85, but is still remembered for being one of the biggest gamblers Sin City has ever seen<\/a>.<\/p>\n He reportedly wore specially-tailored suits with inside pockets for cash and a pistol and stashed hundreds of thousands of dollars in the trunk of his car. In fact, he was apparently such a high-spending patron of Wynn Las Vegas that he was given his own villa on the premises by owner Steve Wynn.<\/p>\n It\u2019s rumored Davis was not the exactly the \u2018God of Gamblers\u2019, supposedly losing millions across the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and Wynn, and is said to have intentionally spent his final months gambling away much of his remaining fortune.<\/p>\n Gambling stories don\u2019t get much better than this. Sounding much like the plot of a Hollywood movie, Karas\u2019s rags to riches story<\/a> is better PR than any casino could dream up.<\/p>\n A Greek immigrant who arrived in America, learnt how to play poker and then turned up in Vegas with only $50 in his pocket, Karas went on a three-year winning streak and turned that $50 into a whopping $40m.<\/p>\n Often said to wager $100k per hand, Karas eventually lost his fortune, was reportedly caught cheating and is now banned from all casinos in Nevada. He\u2019s said to still be gambling, but it\u2019s not quite a silver screen-worthy ending.<\/p>\n Specially imported vodka, a three-room suite and a $17m gambling limit were all American businessman Watanabe\u2019s to enjoy. Sounds great, right?<\/p>\n But with such high stakes comes responsibility. This notorious whale lost $127m at Caesars Palace and The Rio in 2007, according to reports, after being banned from Wynn Las Vegas.<\/p>\n With stories of excessive drinking, 24-hour gambling and even sleepwalking doing the rounds, Terry\u2019s story quickly spun from a win to a loss and became a tragic cautionary tale. Casinos attempted to sue for unpaid debts, which led to a counter-suit from the businessman, before a settlement was eventually reached out of court.<\/p>\n Dubbed \u2018The Prince of Whales\u2019, Australian media mogul Kerry Packer<\/a> was a prolific gambler in the 1990s.<\/p>\n According to The Independent, the multimillionaire once \u201ctook the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for $20m\u201d in just 40 minutes, which is no mean feat.<\/p>\n While playing blackjack, he\u2019s said to have bet up to $250,000 on a betting square, before tipping<\/a> each dealer $2,500. Phew.<\/p>\n One of the most notorious Las Vegas whales, who has been making a splash in the headlines as recently as September 2019, when he was sentenced to three years in prison. His charge? \u201cCheating the IRS out of more than $28m\u201d according to Las Vegas Review Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s believed his illicit activities were, in part, due to an attempt to maintain his glamorous lifestyle and repay millions in gambling losses at Vegas casinos \u2014 where he had wagered and lost around $175M. That would make him one of the biggest gamblers to ever grace the Strip.<\/p>\n How do you spot a Las Vegas whale in the wild? Grab your binoculars and look out for those tell-tale signs such as abundant perks and incentives<\/a>. Regular comps from casinos for super high-rollers are said to include extended credit, discounts on losses, exclusive use of tables with high limits, private rooms and concerts, use of limos and private jets, penthouse suites, and free food.<\/p>\n Find out more about high-roller perks this video:<\/p>\n2. Archie Karas<\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Terrance Watanabe<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Kerry Packer<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. Ramon DeSage<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Wait, what\u2019s the difference between a whale and a high roller?<\/strong><\/h2>\n