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Who Lost the Most Money Gambling?

most money lost gambling

Terrance Watanabe is a gambler who is known to have lost the most money gambling. Watanabe spent $835 million over a year playing baccarat and blackjack at Las Vegas casinos. He ended up losing $127 million, which became the biggest losing streak recorded in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, his obsession with gambling has landed him in debt, and to this day, he still owes $15 million.

Watanabe is not the only gambler who managed to lose a lot of money while gambling. There have been some unlucky players over the years. Below we list the other four that also lost a lot of money because of gambling.

most money lost gambling

Archie Karas – $40 Million

Known as the most famous gambler, Archie Karas lost $40 million because of reckless betting decisions. Karas had been on a winning streak while playing poker, baccarat, and dice games when he won the $40 million over time. He lost the money over three weeks. When Karas started his winning streak, he had gone to Las Vegas with only $50 and borrowed $10 000 from friends.

Charles Barkley – $30 Million

Charles Barkley is an NBA All-Star who was a known high roller because of his money when playing blackjack. He once admitted that he lost $2.5 million while playing a single session of blackjack. However, to lose $30 million, he played other games such as baccarat, roulette, and dice. Barkley was not playing for winning but for the thrill of it all.

Harry Kakavas – $20.5 Million

Henry Kakavas, a former Australian billionaire, is one gambler who did not mind spending money on gambling. He has managed to spend $1.43 billion on this activity. He lost $20.5 million in two years while he was playing at Crown Casino in Melbourne. He knew that he had a problem and excluded himself from gambling at Crown. However, he ended up going to the tables in Las Vegas.

Maureen O’Connor – $13 Million

Working as the mayor of San Diego, Maureen O’Connor amassed a loss of $20 million from gambling. However, this can be considered a not so bad loss when comparing it to how much she spent on gambling. She had spent $1 billion and got some of the money from a charitable foundation under her second husband.

Most Money Lost Gambling Conclusion

If you are a gambler, you will know that you don’t always win whether you play online or in land-based casinos. However, as a responsible gambler, you will know when to limit your gambling and how much you spend on it. You should always think about gambling as a way to entertain yourself and not make money. In that way, you don’t end up chasing your losses and losing even more money than you have.

Jordie Hillcreek

Jordie Hillcreek

Jordie Hillcreek is a top-tier professional at US Player Check, specializing in online casino player engagement and the intricate mechanics of slot games. With a deep understanding of gaming strategy, Jordie brings a specialized focus to covering the gambling industry, particularly in developing expert tips and tricks to help players succeed. A longtime follower of the online gaming space, Jordie has a particular interest in how technology influences betting behavior and the growth of regulated markets. Jordie regularly contributes expert reviews, comprehensive guides, and industry analysis to US Player Check, covering everything from game mechanics to the latest digital trends shaping the sector, reaching audiences from casual players to seasoned bettors.

US Player Check delivers real money online casino reviews, comparisons, and payout data that US players can actually rely on. Our team backs every review with real deposits, real withdrawals, and over a decade of experience testing the US market. Coverage focuses on regulated states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Connecticut. We're committed to clear, honest, and independently tested coverage of online casinos in the United States.