Las Vegas is a city with an incredible atmosphere that is full of amazing gambling stories. But few of them can compete with crazy tales about whales that make regular high rollers look like casual players. These gamblers check into the luxury suites of the most expensive casino resorts and have at least a few million dollars to spend on a three-day vacation. And when it comes to such big bankrolls, things can get out of hand quite easily.
Edward “Tiger Mike” Davis
This player belonged to the old school of whales and adored to wager his oil-based fortune in Sin City’s most prestigious establishments. Although “Tiger Mike” died in 2016, experienced players still remember this successful businessman because of his gambling marathons. In fact, Wynn Las Vegas casino appreciated Davis so much that the venue’s owner thanked the player by giving him his own villa.
Archie Karas
If you have never believed in the rags to riches of history, perhaps this case will convince you. Having arrived in the United States, Karas, who was a Greek immigrant, learned to play poker. When Archie mastered all the game rules and principles, he went to Las Vegas to test his skills. The only catch was that his budget was just $50. Nevertheless, the player managed to increase this modest bankroll after the first sessions, and he ended up generating $40 million in winnings.
Terrance Watanabe
The life of an addicted gambler is unpredictable, and Terrance Watanabe demonstrates this perfectly. Once upon a time, he was a businessman and could afford all the casino perks any whale could dream of. However, his passion turned out to be too strong, and the gambler could not give up on money wagering at the right time. He lost about $127 million at The Rio and Caesars Palace in 2007. These establishments sued the player to recover at least part of the debt. But after a long trial, the parties managed to reach a peace agreement.
Kerry Packer
This list would not be complete without mentioning Kerry Packer, who was a famous Australian billionaire. According to one of his craziest gambling stories, Kerry once outplayed an MGM Grand blackjack dealer for $20 million. And what’s even more impressive is that it only took Packer 40 minutes to do it. Of course, all the casino employees who interacted with the whale that evening received generous tips.
Ramon DeSage
Gamblers have often crossed the line with their risky hobbies, and Ramon DeSage is one such player. Despite his whale status and seemingly massive fortune, Ramon was forced to commit a crime and swindled the IRS. A 2019 investigation found that he defrauded the government agency of $28 million. Some sources claim that DeSage had to take this dubious step to make up for his numerous losses, which totaled over $174 million.
