Las Vegas is known for its opulent casinos, and every gambler who walks in has hopes of leaving richer than they came. Some are unlucky, and others have been banned from casinos, but some gamblers have made their mark in Las Vegas.
Let’s meet them.
1. Archie Karas: ‘The Run’ Legend

When talking about gamblers who made it big in Las Vegas, you can bet Archie Karas is at the top of the list. He passed away in September 2024 and was probably the most legendary high roller in Las Vegas gambling history.
Archie Karas grew up in Greece, and in 1992, he arrived in Las Vegas with $50 in his name. He turned that into $40 million by 1995 with an incredible run in poker, craps, and pool games. He set a record for the longest winning streak, also known as ‘The Run.”
Karas’ betting style helped him beat famous gamblers such as Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, and the late Chip Reese. Karas came to Vegas, won, and then lost it all.
2. The Powerful and Extravagant Kerry Packer
The story of Kerry Packer, an Australian tycoon known for high-stakes gambling, is the stuff of legend. He could fly over the Atlantic to bet for days nonstop.
He was also a successful and bullish businessman and could afford to place bets beyond the dreams of other gamblers. He especially loved baccarat and could bet millions in one night.
A casino hoping that Kerry Packer’s winning streak would end lifted its limits, permitting him to wager $500,000 per hand. He won $40 million in under an hour. Kerry Packer was so addicted to gambling that when his flight was once grounded in Las Vegas, he played baccarat and lost $29 million. Packer bet big, won big, lost big, and also tipped big.
3. Stu Ungar: The Comeback Kid

Stu Ungar was exposed to gambling at a tender age and became exceptionally skilled in poker and gin rummy, winning his first major tournament at just 10 years old. Ungar wasn’t only a great player; he also had a prodigy-level IQ and an eidetic memory.
Stu is one of only two players to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event three times. He became one of the gamblers who left a mark in Las Vegas during his triumphant return to the WSOP in 1997 after a battle with drug addiction. His aggressive playing style earned him the nickname “The Comeback Kid.”
Despite earning over $30 million throughout his career, Ungar struggled with addiction and financial management, often squandering his winnings. His life swung between extraordinary highs in the poker world and tragic lows in his personal life. Ungar passed away in November 1998 at the age of 45.
4. Nick “The Greek” Dandalos
Nikolas Andreas Dandolos, or Nick the Greek, was a high-stakes gambler who left his mark in Vegas during the mid-20th century. According to Dandalos, “The greatest pleasure in life is gambling and winning. The next greatest pleasure is gambling and losing.” He won and lost over $500 million in his gambling life and even went from rags to riches 73 times.
His fearless play and charisma contributed significantly to the allure of Las Vegas as a gambling destination. Nick the Greek’s legendary matches against other poker greats, notably Johnny Moss, helped shape the modern poker scene.
5. Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is infamous for his high-stakes gambling, reportedly losing millions in a single night.
He bets on everything from golf tournaments to poker games. He even bet $100,000 on rock paper scissors!
Jordan has a competitive nature but he’s a bad gambler. He has acknowledged significant losses, including an incident where he lost $5 million at a craps table in Las Vegas.
Conclusion
The famous gamblers who made their mark in Vegas have thrilling, larger-than-life existences… when times are good.
When luck isn’t going their way, their huge losses serve as a reminder of the risks of gambling. Still, these gamblers leave intriguing legacies.