The 10 Biggest Wins in Casino History

Casinos are designed to make money, but every now and then, a lucky player defies the odds and walks away with life-changing winnings. From legendary slot machine jackpots to record-breaking high-stakes bets, some wins have made history. Here are the biggest casino wins ever recorded, proving that sometimes, the house doesn’t always win!

1. Archie Karas’ $40 Million Winning Streak (1992-1995) – The Greatest Run in Gambling History

Greek-American gambler Archie Karas turned $50 into $40 million in what is considered the longest and most incredible winning streak in casino history. Over three years, he dominated poker, craps, and baccarat tables in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, he later lost it all, proving that luck can be just as fleeting as fortune.

📅 When? 1992-1995
👥 Who? Archie Karas
🎰 What? Poker, craps, and baccarat winning streak
📍 Where? Las Vegas, USA
💰 How much? $40 million at peak

2. The $39.7 Million Megabucks Jackpot (2003) – The Largest Slot Machine Win Ever

A 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles hit the biggest slot machine jackpot in history, winning an astonishing $39.7 million on a Megabucks slot at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas. He had only bet $100, making it one of the most legendary wins ever.

📅 When? 2003
👥 Who? Anonymous 25-year-old software engineer
🎰 What? Largest slot machine jackpot ever
📍 Where? Excalibur Casino, Las Vegas
💰 How much? $39.7 million

3. Kerry Packer’s $40 Million Baccarat & Blackjack Wins (1990s) – The Ultimate High Roller

Australian billionaire Kerry Packer, known for his aggressive gambling, won up to $40 million in a single night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He placed million-dollar bets on blackjack and baccarat, crushing the casino. Legend has it, he also tipped a waitress $1 million that night.

📅 When? 1990s
👥 Who? Kerry Packer
🎰 What? Blackjack & baccarat high-stakes betting
📍 Where? MGM Grand, Las Vegas
💰 How much? $40 million

4. Elmer Sherwin’s Double Megabucks Win (1989 & 2005) – The Luckiest Man Alive

At 76 years old, Elmer Sherwin hit a $4.6 million jackpot on a Megabucks slot at the Mirage on its opening night. But incredibly, 16 years later, at the age of 92, he won another $21 million on the same slot machine series, making him the only person to ever win Megabucks twice.

📅 When? 1989 & 2005
👥 Who? Elmer Sherwin
🎰 What? Won Megabucks jackpot twice
📍 Where? Mirage Casino (1989), Cannery Casino (2005), Las Vegas
💰 How much? $4.6 million + $21 million

5. Don Johnson’s $15 Million Blackjack Wins (2011) – Outsmarting the Casino

Professional gambler Don Johnson negotiated special blackjack rules with Atlantic City casinos, giving himself an edge over the house. Over six months, he systematically won $15 million from three different casinos. His strategy? Flawless card counting, strict game conditions, and strategic betting.

📅 When? 2011
👥 Who? Don Johnson
🎰 What? Blackjack advantage play & card counting
📍 Where? Atlantic City, USA
💰 How much? $15 million

6. The Anonymous $34.9 Million Slot Jackpot (2000) – Another Megabucks Record

An unknown woman visiting Las Vegas from Hawaii turned a $300 bet into a massive $34.9 million win on a Megabucks slot machine at the Desert Inn Casino. She chose to remain anonymous, taking home her winnings in annual payments.

📅 When? 2000
👥 Who? Anonymous woman from Hawaii
🎰 What? Megabucks slot jackpot
📍 Where? Desert Inn Casino, Las Vegas
💰 How much? $34.9 million

7. The Monte Carlo Roulette Miracle (1873) – The Luckiest Streak in Roulette History

A British gambler, Charles Deville Wells, became famous for breaking the bank at Monte Carlo in 1873. Playing roulette, he won 23 out of 30 consecutive spins, turning a small bankroll into over 1 million francs. His incredible luck remains a mystery.

📅 When? 1873
👥 Who? Charles Deville Wells
🎰 What? Insane roulette winning streak
📍 Where? Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco
💰 How much? 1 million francs (equivalent to millions today)

8. The $27.5 Million Megabucks Jackpot (1998) – Cocktail Waitress Wins Big

Cynthia Jay-Brennan, a Las Vegas cocktail waitress, hit a $27.5 million jackpot on a Megabucks slot machine after playing with just $20. Sadly, six weeks later, she was in a car accident that left her paralysed, adding a tragic twist to her incredible win.

📅 When? 1998
👥 Who? Cynthia Jay-Brennan
🎰 What? Megabucks slot jackpot
📍 Where? Desert Inn Casino, Las Vegas
💰 How much? $27.5 million

9. The Casino Employee’s $5.4 Million Jackpot (1995) – The Ultimate Irony

A casino worker at the Las Vegas Hilton decided to play a slot machine during her break—and won $5.4 million on a Wheel of Fortune slot. Ironically, she worked there for years without ever winning, but her lucky moment came when she least expected it.

📅 When? 1995
👥 Who? Anonymous casino employee
🎰 What? Wheel of Fortune slot jackpot
📍 Where? Las Vegas Hilton
💰 How much? $5.4 million

10. The $22.6 Million Slot Win at Caesars Palace (1999) – A Lucky Day

A retired flight attendant decided to try her luck at Caesars Palace and hit a record-breaking $22.6 million jackpot on a Megabucks slot machine. She had only wagered $300, making her one of the luckiest players in history.

📅 When? 1999
👥 Who? Retired flight attendant (anonymous)
🎰 What? Megabucks slot jackpot
📍 Where? Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
💰 How much? $22.6 million