If you are interested in gambling across Asia, then this article might be just the right read for you. Below you will discover more about the factors driving the expansion of the casino industry in Malaysia and why you should consider the country as your next destination. Bear with us and explore some of the best casino sites in Malaysia that offer a wide range of games, secure payment methods, and generous bonuses for an ultimate gaming experience.

Gambling in China – Laws and Regulations

The gambling industry growth is expected to rise significantly in the following years due to the popularity of online casinos and the trend of quick casino games. While this is true for one part of the world, some countries still have certain regulations when it comes to gambling. The Chinese government, for instance, has very strict laws that prohibit most forms of gambling across the mainland, expect for Hong Kong and Macau.

With the Communist Party taking over, new laws were established. In 1949, the Chinese government banned all forms of gambling. The country operates two lotteries, the Welfare Lottery and the Sports Lottery, which are the only legal forms of gambling. Citizens are also allowed to play cards and other games, such as mahjong, for example, if there are non-currency winnings.

Despite the strict regulations and laws, Chinese people are considered some of the biggest gamblers by country with a significant percentage of the population engaging in gambling. Chinese tourists are now seeking new gambling destinations, and Malaysia is often among the preferred ones. Read along to find out more about the factors that influence the potential of gaming and casino industry growth in Malaysia.

Potential of Gaming and Casino Industry Growth in Malaysia

The potential of gaming and casino industry growth in Malaysia is enormous since Genting Berhad, one of the largest casino conglomerates in Southeast Asia, is operating exactly there. The company is best known for its casino and resort brand, Resorts World, which operates in Malaysia and several other countries across the world. With its luxurious casinos and betting shops, the resort is attracting not only tourists but also many wealthy locals.

Another factor contributing to the potential of the gaming and casino industry growth in Malaysia is the strategic location of the country and its visa-free entry for Chinese tourists. More and more premium customers have come to the country in the past year and chose the Genting Highlands Resort as a place to stay. According to the company, their revenue went up by 75% in comparison to the figures for 2021.

The casino market growth in Malaysia is expected to reach new heights in the following years as the country continues to improve its image as a safe and nice leisure destination for tourists. What is more, the casino industry in Malaysia does not boil down solely to land-based casinos. There are various great online real money casinos in Malaysia that are also contributing to the country’s reputation as a gambling destination.

Online Gambling in Malaysia – Diverse & Secure Entertainment

Despite Malaysia’s strict gambling laws, the online casino industry’s growth is a fact, as it has experienced significant changes in recent years. Online operators are attracting more and more players not only in Malaysia but also outside the country. This makes it difficult for authorities to regulate and control the industry.

Online gambling operators are providing enough measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for their players. In addition, more and more online casinos are introducing cryptocurrencies as deposit and withdrawal methods for even more convenience. These are only a few of the perks that you can enjoy by visiting some of the best Malaysian gambling sites.

Conclusion

Regardless of its strict gambling laws, the casino market growth in Malaysia will expand further thanks to the luxurious tourist destinations like Genting Highlands. While there is currently no clear indication that gambling will become legal in Malaysia anytime soon, any changes to the law could have a significant impact on the tourism industry of the country.

For now, if you are looking taste the thrill of playing at an Asian casino, you might try out some of the best live dealer casino sites in Malaysia offering a realistic gaming experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our article on the possibilities for the casino market growth in Malaysia ends with a section comprised of the most common questions related to the topic. Here, you will find answers on topics concerning the legal gambling requirements in both China and Malaysia as well as what the future may hold for the industry.

Heads-up drama

What started out as a friendly hustle to get Matt Berkey playing heads-up with Nikhil “Nik Airball” Arcot has spiraled into one of the petty feuds that Doug Polk has turned into an art form.

the show took a turn in the last ten minutes

On Wednesday, Nik appeared on Polk’s podcast to talk about Garrett Adelstein’s fall from grace. The show took a turn in the last ten minutes as Polk took Matt Berkey to task.

Polk appears to have been acting as a middle man for Nik, brokering the terms of a heads-up confrontation between Nik and Berkey. However, feeling that Berkey was being evasive, Polk couldn’t help but refer to “this thing with [Nik] and Berkey” on his podcast, calling it “a bitch move” on Berkey’s part.

Nik went even further, calling Berkey a “scammer” for selling coaching while also turning down his heads-up challenge.

Escalation

Berkey raised Polk’s bet by responding to the podcast with a Twitter post containing screencaps of the negotiations between Polk and himself. The messages appear to show fairly typical scheduling negotiations, undermining Polk’s point.

This didn’t phase Polk, who re-raised by doubling down on Berkey for “backing out” and then calling him a “nitwit.”

Berkey four-bet by calling Polk a “c*nt” and a “washed up geezer” before challenging Polk to join him in a full-ring game at the Bellagio.

[NB: Interested readers and Berkey may wish to look up the derivation from rhyming slang of the British insult “berk.”]

Polk then shoved with two tweets (which could be read to imply Polk thinks Berkey is a fraud) and a YouTube video.

Polk’s video breaks down a poorly played hand of Berkey’s during a game of jack-four on the Live at the Bike stream.

Polk intercuts his mock-analysis of the hand with a takedown of Berkey’s career. He dismantles Solve For Why – Berkey’s coaching business – calls Berkey out for errors in his podcast, and then tries to poach Landon Tice from Berkey’s stable.

Berkey has yet to respond to the video. When he does, he would do well to bear in mind the old saying about wrestling Doug Polk: you both get covered in shit…and Polk enjoys it.

The post Doug Polk’s Feud With Matt Berkey Gets the YouTube Treatment appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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According to a 1947 law, gambling halls and casinos are supposed to be illegal in Mexico. However, hundreds of them exist and former President Vincente Fox was given powers by the courts to authorize licensing in order to create revenues through taxes as well as bolster the tourist trade.

Current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador made no secret of his anti-gambling stance when he ran for and won the presidency, and has not personally authorized or issued any new licenses since he took office on December 1, 2018. In September of the next year, he re-affirmed his stance against issuing any new licenses in a gesture that was widely seen as an effort to reassure the Catholic church that he was on its side on the issue.

Casino Opposition Increased After Fire

The church and specifically Cardinal Rogelio Cabrera, head of the Mexican Episcopate, strengthened opposition to casino gambling after about 25 gunmen, purportedly members of the Los Zetas drug cartel stormed the Casino Royale in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The men doused the casino in flammable liquids and lit it on fire trapping over 50 people inside. At least 50 people were killed in the tragedy.

At a recent press conference, the president stated that his government will not only refrain from issuing any new licenses but will also revoke any that may have been granted in the last four years. Mexican presidents are limited to a single six-year term.

At the presser, López Obrador declared he would request a report from the head of the Secretariat for Home Affairs, Adán Augusto López Hernández in order to take control of the current process for issuing licenses.

Prior to leaving office in 2005, the former Secretariat issued more than 750 licenses to gaming parlors across the country.

The president stated in reply to a reporter’s question about licensing and an upcoming casino industry conference: “Casinos should not be opened, we are not giving permission to open casinos. We are not. And I am going to ask the Secretariat for Home Affairs for a report because, if there is a new license, it is canceled, because the instruction is not to deliver any license.”

Licensing Process “Inadequate”?

It’s unclear if López Obrador will follow through on his threat to jerk existing licenses so far into his term. He had earlier asked Olga Sánchez Cordero, a prior Secretary of Home Affairs whether or not licenses issued under the previous administration had been under a lawful process. Obrador has stated in the past the process was “inadequate”.

Some legal scholars have differed on the legislative appendix process used to authorize deviance from earlier laws that specifically outlawed casino operations but in the 2000s many lawmakers were behind efforts to bring casino gambling to major coastal resort hotels. In recent years, some state governors have taken it upon themselves to issue more local licenses.
There is no unified federal framework for casino legislation, anti-money laundering controls, or even a unified tax code across the country. Online gambling is authorized loosely although there are no laws specifically authorizing it.

According to Thompson Reuters Law Guides: “Land-based casinos and online gaming are permitted. In Mexico, there are 36 land-based permit holders that are, or could be, allowed to operate online gaming.”

Source: President says he will revoke all casino licenses granted over the last four years, G3 Newswire, March 20, 2023

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A concerning trend

Officials in both Washington, D.C. and Wyoming seemingly have little to no interest in providing funding to problem gambling services. This is despite gambling addiction being a major talking point as legalized forms of gambling continue to spread across the US. It is also National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, so this news comes with impeccable timing.

money is allocated to fund problem gambling services each year

Legal sports betting is already up and running in both jurisdictions. Under the two respective regulatory frameworks, a certain amount of money is allocated to fund problem gambling services each year.

Potential changes in D.C.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is looking to repeal a sports betting code provision that sees $200,000 in funding going towards the prevention and treatment of problem gambling each year. No indication has been given regarding the motive behind the planned cut. Since the legalization of sports betting in the district, none of the $600,000 collected for problem gambling services has been allocated.

not the first time that Mayor Bowser has looked to pilfer earmarked sports betting funds

This is not the first time that Mayor Bowser has looked to pilfer already earmarked sports betting funds. A sum of $7m that was designated for early childhood and violence prevention services from sports betting sources was moved by Mayor Bowser to the district’s general fund. D.C. Councilmember Robert White criticized that decision as a “classic bait-and-switch.”

Wyoming commissioners snub funding

In Wyoming, the Department of Health reportedly offered $32,141 of state funds to Park County commissioners to help tackle problem gambling. Despite this offer, the board voted unanimously to turn down the funding. Explaining the reasoning behind the vote, Park County Commission Chair Dossie Overfield said: “The gambling thing just did not appear — to our knowledge or the people that we checked with — to be an issue in Park County.”

Gambling disorders can have serious negative consequences, including financial distress, loss of family or career, legal problems, and even self-harm or suicide.

The first $300,000 in tax revenue from sports betting for a given year in Wyoming is sent to the Department of Health. The department then distributes funds to various county health programs for problem gambling services depending on the jurisdiction’s adult population.

The post Officials in Washington, D.C. and Wyoming Snubbing Problem Gambling Funding appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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EveryMatrix, a B2B iGaming supplier based in Sliema, Malta, has acquired a license in Connecticut, strengthening its presence in the US states that regulate sports wagering and iGaming as a leading provider in both sections.

New license:

After entering West Virginia, New Jersey, Michigan and Ontario, Canada, with an ongoing regulatory process in Pennsylvania, the provider has been awarded another US state license that further strengthens its presence in the US by supplying licensed brands in Connecticut with its innovative, customized content and platform services.

However, EveryMatrix has largely established relationships with flagship US operators for in-house gaming content via its proprietary Integration Platform, CasinoEngine.

Commenting on the license, Erik Nyman, President Americas, EveryMatrix, said: “EveryMatrix has focused on U.S. states that have regulated both iGaming and sportsbook as we are leading supplier in both verticals. With our licence approval in Connecticut, we are one step closer to securing access to all the significant regulated states in the U.S. and we are thrilled to go live shortly.”

“This is another significant milestone for the business and widens our reach to distribute our world-class content, platform and services to licensed operators in the U.S. market.”

Online sports wagering and casino legalization in Connecticut:

As online sports wagering and casino are regulated in the State of the Constitution from October 2021, EveryMatrix, a flagship B2B supplier of turnkey platform, casino and sportsbook, officially opened its first US office in Miami, Florida in August 2020.

Furthermore, the company is an official member of the iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA).

About:

Headquartered in Silema, Malta, EveryMatrix is one of the flagship platform providers in online casino games. It was founded and officially launched in 2008.

The company has made strides in game production over the past few years. They do this via dedicated semi-independent studios located around the world.

There are two ways they do this: either they invest in existing studios or they start their own companies. Since they are already present in most regions and affiliated with most gaming companies, it is quite easy for them to do both. However, the company seems to prefer small prospective studios. The first of these was Spearhead Studios, which has been part of the company since 2019. Since then, expansion has been quite rapid, with a growing list of independent studios.

Here are some of them:

• JVL – JVL has been in the land-based casino business for almost four decades, operating in the Canadian markets. Their growing portfolio of online coin slots is available exclusively from EveryMatrix;
• Lady Luck Games – This Swedish studio has been producing online slots since 2019, and as part of EveryMatrix since 2021. They specialize in high-quality slots with innovative designs, wild graphics and interesting game features;

Mark Cuban delivers scathing criticism

During a Wednesday night matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, a sequence of events led to Mavs’ owner Mark Cuban claiming he saw one of the worst referee mistakes “possibly in the history of the NBA.”

The call, which gave Golden State the ball under the Dallas basket despite confusing signals and an announcement that it was the Mavs’ ball, gave the Warriors two free points in a crucial game they went on to win by exactly two points.

In honor of the fiasco that has left one of the NBA’s billionaire owners feuding with the referee, VegasSlotsOnline News compiled the biggest officiating errors in NBA history. Buckle up.

Top five NBA referee mistakes ever

2002 Western Conference Finals Game Six: Kings vs. Lakers 

The Los Angeles Lakers had won back-to-back NBA championships, but found themselves trailing three games to two to the Sacramento Kings in the 2002 Western Conference Finals. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal combined for 58 points in Game Five, but did not have enough as Sacramento escaped with a 92-91 win.

The Kings had a star-studded roster with Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Vlade Divac, among other standouts. The Lakers, meanwhile, had the Shaq-Kobe duo, the league’s most intimidating pairing of teammates. 

40 free throws, 27 of them in the fourth quarter, compared to the Kings’ 25 for the entire game

Ex-referee Tim Donaghy, who was in charge of Game Six, has since claimed that the NBA advised referees to influence the final outcome in certain matchups, and that this game was one of them. The Lakers shot 40 free throws, 27 of them in the fourth quarter, compared to the Kings’ 25 for the entire game, to pull off a 106-102 win. They then went on to win Game Seven 112-106 and advance to the NBA Finals.

During the momentum-shifting Game Six, Bryant got away with elbowing Bibby in the face for no foul and Shaq was allowed to toss Divac around all night. Almost every 50/50 call went L.A.’s way.

Donaghy admitted to betting on games that he officiated while dealing with a gambling addiction in 2007, meaning that his word is not the most reliable, but still, it does not take inside information to know the game was called in favor of the purple and gold.

Joey Crawford joins the action

Is there anything worse than getting called for a foul on a clean play? How about getting blamed for a referee fouling a player?

The 2005 Eastern Conference Finals were between the defending league champions Detroit Pistons and the number-one seed in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat. The Pistons led by three points with less than 20 seconds left in Game Seven until the head referee, Joey Crawford, decided to get in on the action.

ran right into the Heat player’s chest and then hilariously called a foul on Chauncey Billups

The veteran official was hustling down the court to keep up with the Heat, who were in transition. Dwyane Wade whipped the ball ahead to Damon Jones who ran towards the corner and then made a hard pivot backward; Crawford, still busting down the sideline, ran right into the Heat player’s chest and then hilariously called a foul on Chauncey Billups, the nearest defender, as if he had committed the foul.

The ego-saving decision by the head whistle did not come back to haunt the Pistons, who won the game 88-82 and advanced to their second straight NBA Finals, where they fell to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games, but given the stakes and the situation, it is one of the most hilarious calls and also one of the biggest NBA referee mistakes ever.

Kevin Durant “saves” the ball 

Remember the schoolyard chant of “Get your eyes checked ref!” or “Ref needs glasses!”? Both are appropriate here.

On January 3, 2019, the Houston Rockets were taking on the Warriors in Oakland, California. The two teams had just gone to seven games in the Western Conference Finals the season prior, and there was a legitimate belief that Houston’s unique style would be enough to end the Dubs’ dynasty.

With just about 30 seconds left in overtime and the game tied at 132, Kevin Durant drove hard with his left hand before James Harden snuck a hand in and poked the ball loose. Durant continued pursuing the ball and Houston’s PJ Tucker dove to recover it, and the ball ended up leaking into the corner near the baseline. 

blatantly over the line when he smacked it over to his teammate

Durant had already taken three steps out of bounds and was blatantly over the line when he smacked it over to his teammate, Klay Thompson, who swung it to an open Steph Curry for the go-ahead basket with just 22.2 seconds left.

Luckily for the Rockets, Harden nailed a game-winning three-pointer with just 2.7 seconds left, and the egregious missed call came to be for nothing. But still, it’s hard to find a more obvious oversight in NBA history than this one.

The King’s nightmare

Looking for a dose of modernity? Look no further than an overtime matchup between the Lakers and Boston Celtics on January 28.

The Lakers and the Celtics are the NBA’s two winningest franchises ever and have a deep-rooted rivalry. On this infamous night, L.A. was visiting TD Garden to take on the Celtics who, at the time, were the crown jewel of the Eastern Conference.

The two exchanged blows all night long until the purple and gold had a side out of bounds with 4.1 seconds left. LeBron James picked up the ball, took on three defenders as he raced to the basket, and put up a layup that careened away from the basket as regulation ended with both teams knotted at 105.

That’s what the situation seemed to be, until a replay review revealed two glaring problems. First, James quite clearly traveled on his way to the hoop as he dealt with three defenders draped over him, but even more egregiously, Boston’s Jayson Tatum took a massive windup and smacked the King right on the forearm as he was about to release the ball, which is why it ended so far off the mark.

Neither of these infractions piqued the curiosity of the refs, who waved the game into overtime, business as usual. Boston went on to win 125-121 despite 41 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists from James thanks to the NBA referee mistakes.

Crawford returns

On April 15, 2007, the Spurs were facing the Dallas Mavericks. San Antonio was on its way to an NBA Finals championship, but first had to get past a regular-season matchup with a tough Dallas team.

The Spurs were led by Tim Duncan, one of the most unproblematic superstars in the history of sports. After all, nobody can have a nickname of “The Big Fundamental” and not have a relatively vanilla personality (sorry, Tim). 

assumed that he was laughing at him and hit him with a technical foul

Duncan picked up an offensive foul in the third quarter and went to go sit on the bench – smart coaching by Gregg Popovich. On the very next play, Crawford spotted Duncan laughing on the bench and assumed that he was laughing at him and hit him with a technical foul. Two shots for Dallas.

A flabbergasted Duncan could do nothing but smile at the encounter and go back to watching the game from the bench. Then, lightning struck twice.

The Spurs were called for a foul on defense a minute later and Duncan started laughing, seemingly in disagreement with the call. Crawford did not hesitate to give him his second technical and throw him out of the game. Duncan retired in 2016 with 1,392 games under his belt, and that was the only one from which he was ever ejected. 

The post Ejected for Smiling, Scapegoating, and a “Rigged Game”: The Five Most Egregious Referee Mistakes in NBA History appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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Illegal gaming devices come in all shapes and sizes and have been designed to beat or cheat any game on the casino floor.

Some are for playing from “the outside” but others were designed to cheat the players by giving the house complete control over who wins or loses.

But there was more to these devices than the ability to win every time.

Back To The Sting

Fans of George Roy Hill’s perfect con-artist movie The Sting will remember the scene where Robert Redford’s “Hooker,” who was flush with cash from a recent scam, bets it all on a spin of the roulette wheel.

After a large wager is approved and the ball released, the dealer reaches under the table to press a hidden button forcing the ball into a losing slot.

Hooker knew immediately he’d been had but had no recourse thanks to the “family” nature of that illegal gambling establishment.

I loved that scene as a kid and was fascinated to learn – later in life – that such “gaffed wheels” actually exist and were once used all over the world by all kinds of establishments from back-alley gaming rooms to large-scale casinos that needed a fallback option in case some whale took them to the cleaners.

A Different Kind Of Juice

Early versions of gaffed wheels benefited from “Drop In” style wheels that fit into a large hole cut into the table.

These allowed for a ring of electromagnets to be hidden inside the wheel (behind the ball track), which could influence a special ball containing a steel core.

Once the ball passed a number the house wanted to avoid, the magnets could be flashed on and off, stopping the ball in its tracks, forcing fall immediately into the rotor where it would be almost impossible for it to land in the number that just passed by.

These “juice tables” (where the ball was manipulated by “turning on the juice”) were so well built that players and dealers could spend years playing without ever suspecting there was a large electronic device hidden inside that could blow up someone’s pacemaker if they stood too close.

I had a friend who traded in both honest and gaffed collectable gambling devices.

About 20 years ago, he bought what he believed to be a completely legitimate wheel from a casino company but when he stripped the wheel for repair, noticed a “tell” inside the wooden interior.

Suspecting there might be more to this wheel than meets the eye, he had it completely deconstructed and discovered a ring of crusty, leaking batteries behind a continuous loop of coiled wires!

It had long since expired as a working device but was so well made, not even its most recent owner knew it had been a crooked wheel!

Dropping A Pin

Another variation that didn’t need batteries (or to be plugged into a wall socket) was the ingenious “kickoff wheel.”

This type of gaff was used in conjunction with a “dead ball” that bounced a lot less than ordinary roulette balls so would tend to drop straight into the nearest slot once it fell (or was pushed) out of the ball track.

The secret was a couple of invisible holes in the ball track, under the rim on the player’s side and impossible to see from that position.

When the wheel was “operated” a thin, stiff wire would push out of the hole to intercept the ball, sending it downward into the rotor.

As with the “juiced” wheel, this simply stopped the ball after a particular number had passed but gave the house an unbeatable advantage against the players.

Hiding The Switch

Unlike the dealer in The Sting, most staff were never required to activate these devices but simply played on the level until excused and replaced with a crooked dealer, or in some cases the mechanism could be activated by a manager or pit boss.

Early gaffed wheels had switches in the leg or far side of the table, but modern versions were activated by a remote-control garage door opener!

Operating these types of crooked tables took a little skill, not just in reaching the operating button or lever but in how and when to use that unbeatable advantage.

You can’t just beat every spin or the house would soon go broke; no one wants to play at the joint where nobody ever wins!

A gaffed table or wheel must be reserved for extreme situations where the house cannot afford to lose.

Sometimes all it takes is one bad spin to interrupt a player’s winning momentum and put them back on the right (losing) track and crooked dealers must learn to bide their time for the right series of bets by the target player to inflict maximum monetary and psychological damage.

That’s not to say every crooked gambling room operated that way.

A few needed to keep their gaffed tables well oiled because they used them so much, but in those cases, the clientele was either changing constantly or had no other place to exercise their gambling needs.

There’s an old joke about a gambler who is playing a bunch of notorious cheaters in the corner of a quiet saloon when a friend arrives and gestures for the gambler to join him at the bar.

The friend says to the gambler, “Don’t you know those guys are all cheaters? They’ll rob you blind!”

The gambler shrugs, swallows his whisky and says, “I know. But it’s the only game in town.” Then returns to the card table.

Do Modern Casinos Rig Roulette Wheels?

It’s very unusual to find a modern gambling establishment foolish enough to have a gaffed game on the premises.

Apart from being a 400-pound piece of evidence, it’s just not necessary when players keep coming and playing no matter how bad the odds are against them.

Unusual doesn’t mean impossible.

Some casinos have fallen victim to staff interfering with the ball track, changing materials in the wheel, or switching the ball for one that is easier to manipulate or predict.

Crooked maintenance staff have even been known to use pliers on older wheels to narrow the pocket on some numbers, or deepening or adjusting slots to make reds more likely than blacks.

A few years ago, I heard of an Asian casino that was caught dropping a wire frame into numbers on a wheel if those numbers were being over-bet or were popular with big money players.

You’d never think that a wire frame would be deceptive since it’s visible to the naked eye, even when placed in the slot.

When the wheel is spun, however, that wire frame is rendered completely invisible!

So, yes, gaffed wheels are extremely rare but like an ageing rock band, they’re always poised for a comeback.

? R. Paul Wilson On: How To Cheat At Roulette With Past Posting

Famous gamblers in history have come in all shapes and sizes. From unrepentant cheats to poker-faced politicians, and media tycoons to mathematical geniuses, the casino floor has attracted and welcomed people from all walks of life. Read our review of seven of the most famous gamblers in history and discover how they became responsible for the breaking of banks, the innovation of the sandwich, the glamour of Monte Carlo and the invention of the scandalous “Savannah”.

#1 Charlie Wells – The Man Who Broke the Bank – Twice!

We begin our list of famous gamblers in history with one of the most colourful characters on our list. Charles ‘Charlie’ Wells was born in England in 1841, although he moved to France when he was still a toddler – and it is in France where his legend begins.

Charlie was born into a family that had issues with both gambling and alcohol addiction. In the hope that it would keep him away from these vices, his mother sent him to church every Sunday to instil better virtues and values in him. These efforts would, sadly, be in vain.

As a youngster, Charlie was quite respectful and was known to be gifted when it came to engineering. He was even a noted inventor, and he made a small fortune selling a patent for an invention that could  manage the speed of a ship’s propellers. Armed with 5,000 francs from this sale, Charlie became a regular patron of France’s many casinos and promptly lost everything. He leveraged his reputation as a noted inventor to raise money from investors, and would quickly lose it all in the casino. The investors would never see their money again.

His luck would change in 1891 when he “broke the bank” in Monte Carlo while playing roulette as he won over 500,000 francs – the equivalent of $13million today! Eyebrows were raised that a notorious fraudster managed to break the bank at Monte Carlo, not just once but twice! Charlie denied any accusations of cheating, simply stating that his success was down to using the Martingale strategy.

Charlie would soon burn through his winnings and spend time in prison before setting up a fraudulent bank in Paris under the nom de plume Lucien Rivier. The system was simple – Lucien would take deposits in Paris, and Charles would promptly lose them on Monte Carlo’s roulette tables. Soon, all the customers’ deposits were squandered, and Charlie would find himself imprisoned yet again. Charlie died in 1922, but he lives on in infamy as one of only five men to “break the bank” at Monte Carlo – and the only person to do it twice!

#2 John Montagu – 4th Earl of Sandwich

One hundred years before the exploits of Charlie Wells, a ten-year-old John Montagu was named the fourth Earl of Sandwich – a position of some standing in 18^th century England. Becoming an Earl at such a young age was not something Montagu actively sought. The title was bestowed upon him as his father and grandfather had both died by the time he was ten, leaving him with the prospect of a steep learning curve before he would be of age to take his position in the House of Lords.

When he did eventually take his seat in the House of Lords, Montagu grew a reputation as a shrewd negotiator. He is credited with not only helping to end the Australian War of Succession, but also ensuring the imprisonment of John Wilkes and persuading government that the country needed to increase its naval forces. However, despite his renown in government, his gambling would render him penniless.

Montagu’s problem was said to be that when he started playing poker, he simply could not stop. The bigger problem, however, was that he was simply not very good! He would host games of poker at his estate and the invitees knew that there was always a good chance that they would see a good payday! When he did win, which was rare, he tended to win big. One such win resulted in him having enough money to fund Captain Cook’s expedition to the Pacific Ocean. This would be the expedition where Cook would discover the Sandwich Islands, named after his kind benefactor. Today we know these islands as Hawaii.

Although Montagu’s gambling would leave him penniless by the time of his death, his legacy does live on today – although not in gambling, negotiations, or in discovery of new lands. No, instead his most famous contribution is as the creator of world’s favourite snack. Rumour has it that while playing late night poker he would request his servants to put his roast beef in between two slices of bread so that he could eat with one hand and play uninterrupted. This snack would be bestowed the same name as the Earl, and thus the sandwich was born!

#3 Francois Blanc – The Wizard of Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo today is known as the ultra-glitzy, glamourous home of the super-rich. From its spectacular marina to its legendary casino, the Principality has been an iconic playground for the rich and famous for generations. This was not always the case however and were it not for our next famous gambler in history it may never have reached such spectacular heights!

Francois Blanc is credited as the man who turned Monte Carlo into a gambling Mecca, however his journey there was not all plain sailing. In his early life he followed the circus for a year as he and his brother had wanted to learn all the card tricks that they could find. Following this he worked as a property developer and also as a speculator on government pensions. However, the “speculation” that he carried out was soon outlawed, and he fled to Luxemburg to escape prosecution. It was during this time that he struck up a relationship with the monarch of Hesse-Homburg to help save the city from financial ruin. The city was in such a perilous financial state that it was struggling to pay its debts and was hoping to significantly increase their tourism industry in order to recover. Francois was happy to help, and soon he had overseen the growth of a booming casino industry in the area that was a rival to any of the major European cities, and thus he became known as the “Magician of Homburg”.

Sadly, for Francois, he fell victim to his success as when the city because prosperous, the monarch decided gambling was no longer needed – nor permitted – in the city. Francois was left without a casino, but he hatched another plan. This time he decided Monaco would be the ideal home for his talents. Monaco at the time had only recently legalized gambling, but financial problems and a lack of modern infrastructure had left it isolated from the rest of Europe. Francois decided that he would invest heavily, not only in building the Monte Carlo Casino, but also in the roads and railways that would serve Monaco. This made the tiny country – and Francois’ casino – much easier for Europe’s elite to travel to. The Monte Carlo Casino became a huge hit with the wealthy visitors, and Francois would reinvest his profits in developing more businesses within the Monegasque borders. Thus, the “Magician of Homburg” became the “Magician of Monte Carlo”, and the Principality would never be the same again!

#4 Bill Benter – The Billion-Dollar Algorithm Gambler

Bill Benter’s gambling career began when he picked up a copy of the renowned book “Beat The Dealer” by Edward Thorp. By this time Bill had already displayed an aptitude for numbers, so it was only logical that he used this talent to test Thorp’s card counting theory. Benter joined a team of card counters in Las Vegas and was reportedly earning around $80,000 a year. This was until casino bosses started shutting down card counters and refusing them access to the casino floor.

Benter was not one to wallow, and he soon turned his attention elsewhere. The sheer volume of money being wagered on the horseracing tracks of Hong Kong was seemingly too much to resist and Bill quickly set about researching how he could use his mathematical genius to give himself an edge over the bookies. This is something that had seemingly never been done before, but Benter used his brilliance with numbers to develop a mathematical model that he felt could give him this much sought after edge. He would scrutinize several variables, such as jockey height and skill, to create his basic computerized algorithm before putting it into action in 1985. He swiftly lost $120,000.

Of course, Benter’s story does not end there. He returned to America, reviewed and reworked his system before returning to Hong Kong in 1988. The return would be glorious as he made over $600,000 profit in his first year, then $3 million a few years later. By 1997 his system generated $50 Million profit in one year! Benter himself isn’t entirely sure about how much he won in total at the racecourse, but he estimates it to be around $1 billion which would comfortably make him the richest professional gambler on the planet. Having beat the bookies so resoundingly, he has since turned his attention to philanthropy, regularly donating to causes in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Africa.

#5 Kerry Packer – The Gambling Billionaire

Kerry Packer was a billionaire, media mogul and perhaps the biggest gambler of his generation. The Australian tycoon enjoyed great success in the business world, as he turned his father’s media business into a multi-billion dollar behemoth. In business he was famed for having a great instinct for knowing when to buy and sell. This is perhaps no more evident than in the sale of one his television networks for $1 billion (AUD) in 1987. This alone would seem a remarkable sale, but Packer had the Midas touch and just two years later he bought it back for a cut price $200 million!

Packer’s business nous afforded him the ability to fund a legendary love for gambling. At one stage the Australian was thought to be worth more than $5 billion, which allowed him to make wagers that most people wouldn’t even dare to dream of! In one legendary event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Packer was playing eight tables at the same time with bets of $250,000. Forty minutes later he won $20 million. That’s right, in forty minutes he won $20 million, $500,000 a minute! Rumour has it that the staff of the MGM were the biggest winners of the night, as Packer gave away around a third of his winnings in tips!

If his wins were famous, his losses were equally as jaw-dropping. In one spectacular three day losing streak at Crockford’s in London, he lost $16.5 million. On another occasion he managed to lose £15 million playing roulette. Such was the velocity of his play it could even be felt on Wall Street. Casinos could see their stock price rise and fall depending on how big Packer won or lost. Although casino bosses may have been justifiably fearful of this billion-dollar high-roller, he was loved by staff thanks to his penchant for lavish tipping.

#6 Richard Marcus – To Catch a Cheat, Send a Cheat!

In 1976, the twenty-year-old Richard Marcus had a good day – a very good day! A few miles from his home state New Jersey, young Richard won $20,000 at the Saratoga racetrack. This win would set in motion a chain of events that would see him lie, cheat and cajole his way to around $15 million in winnings over a twenty-year career.

Marcus had long dreamed of hitting in big in Vegas, so when he won $20,000 he went straight to the casino floors of Sin City. Within a few days his dreams seemed to be coming true as he won around $100,000 and was being given the high-roller treatment by the casino bosses. His luck would not last, and he soon lost it all and ended up penniless, homeless and more than a little bitter. He stewed on his loss while he slept under a bridge with only his duffel bag for a pillow. He was furious, convinced that the casinos had cheated him out of his fortune, and vowed to take his revenge.

He decided that it was best to know the tricks his enemy had used on him, so he took a job as a baccarat dealer at the Four Queens Casino. He was not interested in learning baccarat betting systems, however. Instead, he was only interested to learn how he could cheat the casinos in the same way he believed they had cheated him. It was while working there that he met Joe Classon, a professional card cheat who would take Richard under his wing and teach him the tricks of the trade. Before long, Richard had surpassed Joe’s skill for sleight of hand and chip manipulation. By 1992 he had  developed his own method of cheating. The Savannah System, named after his girlfriend at the time, was born and netted Marcus millions in ill-gotten gains. By 2000, with casino bosses getting wise to his methods, Marcus decided to retire with a whopping $7 million in his bank account!

Today Marcus is banned from gambling on every casino floor in the state of Nevada, but he still works in the industry. In an incredible change of career, he is now a very successful cheating prevention consultant for major casinos. In his new career, he trains casino bosses and floor staff in ways to spot a cheater, as well as organising undercover operations to check casinos’ security. Well, as the old saying goes, “it takes a thief to catch a thief!”

#7 Anargyros Karabourniotis aka Archie Karas – Net Worth of $40,000,000 to Zero!

Anargyros Karabourniotis, also known as Archie Karas, came from a small Greek island to accumulate a net worth of over $40 million dollars only to lose it all. Archie arrived in America aged 17 and took work in a bowling alley. As luck would have it, the bowling alley had both a poker and a pool room attached. Young Archie was new to the country, had little grasp of the language and even less knowledge about poker or pool, but that would soon change!

Archie discovered that he had an untapped talent for both games, and soon began making decent money. He invited all comers to play pool, and regularly beat the best that California had to offer. When there was no one else to beat at pool, he turned to poker. Rumour has it that over the subsequent two decades, Archie won over $2 million. Unfortunately for Archie, he also lost all $2 million too, save for a lone $50. Archie was never one to quit. So, armed with his $50, he made the trip to Las Vegas to make his fortune.

Initially bank rolled by a friend, Archie made good money in Vegas, but things soon heated up when he went on one of the greatest winning streaks of all time. Initially Archie played pool for money against a famous businessman, whom he only referred to as “Mr X”. Mr X and Archie played for months, with Archie coming out on top to the tune of $1.2 million. Then the two turned their attention to poker. Mr X was also a former world champion poker player, but he was no match for Archie and lost another $3 million. Word had begun to spread about this unknown Greek who took a former world champion to the cleaners, and soon a whole host of professional poker players turned up to play Archie. Stu Unger, Johnny Moss, and Puggy Pearson were all among Archie’s victims as he amassed over $17 million in winnings. Not satisfied, Archie took his luck to the craps table and by 1995 he had more than doubled his fortune to hold a rumoured $40 million! Most would quit there, but not Archie.

“The Run”, as it became to be known, was legendary. However, Archie did not know how or when to stop. His luck changed and over the next few years he lost it all. Things went from bad to worse for Archie as he was caught cheating at blackjack in California. When he was caught marking cards in San Diego, he was immediately added to Nevada State’s famous black book meaning one of the most famous gamblers in history is forbidden from gambling in the state ever again.

Craps, Roulette and Blackjack were just a few of our famous gamblers’ favoured games, and these are all available in the Casino.com Live Casino. Sign-up today and take advantage of our very generous Welcome Package!

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With its four reputable locations, Casino Berlin is one of Germany’s most successful casino locations. It continuously sets new standards in service, entertainment and, most notably, responsible gaming. You can play poker, blackjack, slots, and more intriguing options. For decades the business has been a reliable partner with the state and the essential networks of the capital. Keep reading to discover more about Casino Berlin blackjack, poker, the needed dress code, working hours, etc.

Everything You Need to Know About Casino Berlin

Spielbank Berlin GmbH & Co. KG was founded to operate a casino in West Berlin back in the day. Things improved after a granted concession, and the company improved with its first and central location at Potsdamer Platz. In time, they managed to expand to the now-known four areas. Here are the main elements related to Casino Berlin in 2023:

Typical for Berlin, each casino location values more the individual style of each person than strict guidelines. As soon as you enter the gaming hall, you will be stunned by the modern design and relaxed atmosphere. Each of the Casino Berlin halls works annually, except five times on official holidays. The tasty food and drinks add the final touch of smart gaming tech and stylish interior design.

Overview of the Amenities at Casino Berlin

While you enjoy the slot machines or any Casino Berlin poker and blackjack tables, you can have a nice drink or grab a tasty bite. Each location comes with bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, there are no casino accommodations, but plenty of hotels are nearby. On top of that, you can take advantage of the Casino on tour offer – rent the croupiers and professional equipment for a fantastic experience on your turf.

Casino Berlin Dress Code

The Casino Berlin dress code policy encourages comfortable clothes for all players. The brand values each visitor’s unique style, which brings a distinctive atmosphere Casino Berlin is famous for. Still, they are specific for closed shoes and long trousers for men at the venue. Cosy and elegant clothes will do the work, but avoid flip-flops and beach shorts or skirts to be on the safe side.

Casino Berlin Entrance

You will be asked for a legit ID when you enter the Casino Berlin venues. The company strictly follows the gambling laws in Germany, where the minimum age for entry is 18. The staff will use the document for age proof and proper registration in their system, as there is a registration upon-entry policy. Keep in mind the admission price of 2.00 euros in all locations. That includes the cloakroom at Potsdamer Platz.

The Player Club

You can register for the free Player Card offered at the casinos. It helps with the admission process, and you automatically become part of the Player Club. As a club member, you will receive casino-specific advantages. The membership is renewed annually informally and easily. Such VIP service resembles the intriguing loyalty programmes offered by the best online casino in Berlin, among others.

Casino Berlin Games Selection

Our overview continues with underlining the games you can find on the spot. We talk about Casino Berlin blackjack, poker, roulette, and more. According to the German gambling regulations, Berlin/Brandenburg is one of the regions where table games and slot machines are allowed. In addition, the friendly staff and croupiers are always there to help. Here is what you can find in each location:

Know that not all variations are available throughout the working hours of the venues. Each gaming hall works daily from 11:00 a.m. ‒ 03:00 a.m., but the live table games have different opening hours. Make sure you get familiar with these details before approaching any of the Casino Berlin branches. If you feel like playing outside of these hours, you can always go for the best online casinos in the Brandenburg region.

Casino Berlin Gambling Halls

If you decide to pause betting on an online casino in Berlin, the following lines will be helpful. We present the four Casino Berlin locations in the German capital to assist in your choice of a gambling venue. Each has something unique to impress the visitors, whereas the quality is equally high in every gaming hall.

Regardless of which casino you pick, they are located in easy-to-reach sections of the capital. Numerous means of transportation can take you to gambling halls, including public transport and taxis, or you can walk if the desired location is within walking distance. On the plus side, a ride can also be required to and from the venues.

Casino Berlin History – The Person Responsible

Since day one, Casino Berlin has been decisively connected with sports. The founder himself was a hockey player and probably the most successful one in Germany. He started as a player for the Berlin Ice Skating Club, but after the war, his career continued in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. When he retired, he was drawn to Bad Neuenahr as the head of the local casino, but his heart stayed with Berlin. Here is Casino Berlin’s history in years:

Jaenecke had a blast of a sports career with a total of 13 times crowned as German champion. He was also successful in tennis and won the German tennis championship in 1932. His sports career in hockey and tennis ended in 1951, but the casino idea was born.

Gustav Jaenecke founded the company in 1975 and remained a member until he died in 1985. Other great tennis players managed to combine sports and gambling to become the best German poker players ever known.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Casino Berlin review ends with a selection of frequently asked questions by visitors related to the locations. Each contains essential data you might want to know before visiting Casino Berlin. That includes games, amenities, dress code, fees, working hours, etc. The results are based on in-depth research and collected info from players.