Gambling was first introduced to Las Vegas during the California gold rush of the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, there was a brief hiatus in the early 1900s when a nationwide crackdown on gambling forced a pause in activities. But by the mid-1900s, Las Vegas had blossomed into a prominent player in the gambling industry. To this day, it retains its status as the world’s gambling capital.
As of 2022, the Nevada Gaming Commission reports that there are 31 strategically located casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, stretching from the southern point of Mandalay Bay to the northern end of Stratosphere.
While the saying “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” may be true for some experiences, it doesn’t apply to winning a mega jackpot at a Las Vegas casino. Although it’s rare for players to win these big payouts, some have become famous for their luck. Here are a few of the largest payouts in Las Vegas gambling history.
Payout amount: $39.7 Million (anonymous winner)
- Date: 2003
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Excalibur
- Address: 3850 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Phone: 877-750-5464
- Website: https://excalibur.mgmresorts.com/en.html
Payout amount: $35 Million (the winner was Cynthia Jay Brennan)
- Date: 2000
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Desert Inn, (permanently closed)
- Address: 3145 S Las Vegas Blvd
Payout amount: $27.6 Million (anonymous winner)
- Date: 1998
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Palace Station
- Address: 2411 W Sahara Ave
- Phone: 702-367-2411
- Website: https://www.palacestation.com/
Payout amount: $22.6 Million (the winner was Johanna Heundl)
- Date: May 2002
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Bally’s (now rebranded to Horseshoe)
- Address: 3645 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Phone: 877-603-4390
- Website: https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-las-vegas
Payout amount: $21.3 Million (anonymous winner)
- Date: 1999
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
- Address: 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd
- Phone: 866-227-5938
- Website: https://www.caesars.com/caesars-palace
Payout amount: $21.1 Million (the winner was Elmer Sherwin)
- Date: 2005
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Cannery Casino & Hotel
- Address: 2121 E Craig Rd
- Phone: 702-507-5700
- Website: http://www.cannerycasino.com/
Payout amount: $14.3 Million (Anonymous Winner)
- Date: December 2013
- Casino Game: Megabucks slot machine
- Casino: Rampart Casino
- Address: 221 N Rampart Blvd
- Phone: 702-507-5900
- Website: https://theresortatsummerlin.com/