Gambling Industry Has Been Regarded as Mysterious, One That Guarantees Intense Emotions
By Space Coast Daily // June 18, 2019
Ever since its inception hundreds of years ago, the gambling industry has been regarded as a mysterious one that guarantees intense emotions. This has created the perfect environment for a number of legends and myths centered around casinos, many of which sound way too absurd to be real.
And yet, there are some insane stories about gambling and casinos that are actually true.
In today’s article, we have collected some of the most bizarre (but true) facts about gambling. In the lines below, you will learn which games generate the biggest profits for operators, some of the biggest jackpot wins, how can you prevent yourself from gambling forever, and many more.
1. A kidnapper was caught after spending most of the ransom money at a casino
We know that it sounds absurd, and yet it is true. In 1996, Chinese gangster the Big Spender, whose real name is Cheung Tze-keung, kidnapped the son of renown business magnate Li Ka-shing and subsequently Walter Kwok. The gangster got a total of $250 million in ransom money and immediately went into hiding.
The Big Spender concealed his identity for some time by bribing officials, etc., but his gambling impulses got the better of him and so he hit Macau casinos.
It is not known how much time the gangster spent playing at casinos, but we do know that he was caught only after having lost more than $200 million in one of Stanley Ho’s casinos.
Interestingly enough, the Big Spender was plotting to kidnap Stanley Ho himself at that time.
2. Penny slots generate the biggest profits
Forget what their name says – penny slots are actually the most profitable casino games, at least for casinos at bonusinsider.com.
According to operators, penny slots became as popular as they are today during the 2000s recession, as they allowed players to gamble using just one penny. Of course, the majority of gamblers spend a lot more on these games, and that is why they generate so much money.
According to statistics, penny slots generated as much as 70% of all slot machine revenues in a casino in Atlantic City back in 2013.
The other percentages goes mainly to jackpot games. UK lottery player scoops £123,000,000 jackpot, that is the third biggest lottery win ever in the United Kingdom.
3. Las Vegas benefited from atomic bomb tests in the 1950s
In the 1950s, the US government started detonating test nuclear weapons not far from Las Vegas. The spectacle “turned night into day” and players could see the subsequent mushroom clouds from casinos in Vegas.
Believe it or not, the city decided to capitalize on the sighting, and so detonation times were promoted. There were also Atomic Bomb Parties, and some casinos even offered their players “atomic drinks”, too.
The most bizarre thing one operator devised to promote nuke detonations was to create a “Miss Atomic Energy” beauty pageant, and those who participated had to wear little mushroom cloud outfits, too.
4. Even film stars can get banned from casinos
You may be thinking that only regular people get banned from casinos, but the following story will prove you wrong.
In 2014, renown actor Ben Affleck went on a brief vacation before shooting Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. During that vacation, the actor decided to stop by at Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas for a quick gamble.
So, he made himself comfortable at the high stakes blackjack table, and before long he started winning – apparently, Mr. Affleck knew just when to stake a lot of money.
Soon, it became known that Mr. Affleck was counting cards, though; casino staff approached him and required him to play another game. Later, he was informed that he will never again be able to play blackjack at the casino.
5. It is possible to ban yourself from casinos
If you feel like your gaming habits are turning into something unpleasant, you might want to try one radical, and yet especially effective solution – ban yourself from casinos.
You should keep in mind that this option is only available in several states in the US, though. There are a lot of stories like the one where a gambling addict who lost £1m had not a chance to ban himself from casinos.
In Ohio, for example, players can participate in the “Voluntary Exclusion” program, which is aimed at helping problem gamblers kick the habit for good.
Players are allowed to ban themselves for one year, five years, or they can choose lifelong ban. They have to choose carefully, however – once a gambler chooses a lifelong ban, there is no going back.
6. Monaco citizens cannot visit their renown casino
Everyone knows Monte Carlo Casino. This exuberant casino was established in the mid-1800s and has remained a renown gaming location ever since. The casino generates a lot of profits, too – it makes so much money, in fact, that Monaco citizens are exempt from paying income taxes.
If there is any downside, it is that Monaco residents cannot play at the casino, as the practice was outlawed by Princess Caroline. The rule is strictly enforced – casino staff checks the passport of every Monte Carlo visitor.
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