Famous Australian Gamblers
If prostitution is the oldest profession, gambling is certainly the oldest hobby—In fact, there have been many famous gamblers through history. Most ancient civilizations show signs of just how far back playing games for money goes. Games of chance played on tiles were discovered dating back from Ancient China while the oldest six-sided die was found in Egypt, proving they liked a punt over there as well.
- Famous Australian Gamblers Names
- Famous Female Gamblers
- Famous Australian Gamblers Female
- Famous Gamblers In History
- Famous Australian Gamblers Male
Here’s a rundown of ten of the most famous gamblers through history (And even a surprising meal we got from them!)
Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Emperor Claudius)
Aussies love a punt and new research shows we wager more, and lose more, than any other country in the world. A report, published in The Economist, puts Australian gambling losses at about $1144. And unlike many of the world’s famous gamblers, who are larger than life (fellow Australian Kerry Packer, say, who was a huge force in Australian business as well as the gambling world), very active in their communities (American Bill Benter, who leads the gambling community in Hong Kong), or talk openly (if sparingly) to the press (Alan. For gambling help call 1800 858 858 or your local State gambling helpline, Gamblers Help, Mission Australia or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. Users must be at least 18 years old. TheGreatTipOff.com (the 'site) is not a bookmaking or wagering website. As such the site does not provide bookmaking or wagering services. Australian Alan Woods has been considered one of the world’s best gamblers for many years now. Even today, despite his passing in 2008, he’s often ranked among the top three most successful bettors ever to live. The famous Aussie gambler started out by beating the casinos at blackjack, and worked his way up to computer-formulated horse racing. Known for his great voice and rapping skills, Nelly could easily pass for one of the most loved.
(10 BC – 54 AC)
The Romans were such big fans of betting you can even find scenes of Romans wagering on animal fights carved into ancient pottery.
And no Roman was more into gambling than Emperor Claudius. As the uncle of Caligula, he was decreed emperor by the Praetorian guard after the infamous ruler was assassinated. Even though he was technically in charge, he didn’t really have much to do, so he spent his free time drinking and gambling.
He was so obsessed with it; he even had a carriage specifically outfitted with a topple-proof board so that he could continue playing with his buds on the go.
Emperor Claudius organized and attended all types of games, from chariot races to gladiatorial fights. And he was all for the spectacle. He once set up an almost 20,000 strong mock battle in the harbor at Ostia when a misguided orca got stuck in the bay. The navy was instructed to attack the whale, losing a ship in the process.
Oh, and he literally wrote the book on Roman games and dice—Talk about famous gamblers through history!
John Montagu
(1718 – 1792)
Many hundreds of years later we get to John Montagu, who served as the British Secretary of State and the First Lord of the Admiralty during his lifetime.
He was such a dedicated gambler, that he would rarely leave the table during a game. He’d sit at the table so long, that he would often miss meals. On one occasion he asked for a piece of salt beef between two pieces of toasted bread (so that he wouldn’t get the grease from the meat on his fingers). Did we forget to mention, that John Montagu had a title? He was the 4th Earl of Sandwich.
The Earl’s friends would later ask for “the same as Sandwich” and the snack later got shorted simply to the sandwich. Who knew we had card games and gambling to thank for sandwiches?!
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt
(1725 – 1798)
A true renaissance man: professional adventurer, writer, librarian, law clerk, violinist, mathematician and businessman—You could probably guess, he was also a famous gambler through history. Giacomo Casanova was many things, but the two things that stayed constant throughout his life were womanizing and gambling.
Trained by professional gamblers and cheats during his teen years, he had plenty of ups and downs during his gambling career. Early on he bet on games such as faro and piquet to earn money quickly when he needed it.
In his 30s he moved to Paris, where he convinced King Louis XV to start the first lottery in France. It was designed to raise money for the military school in Paris, but it turned into a very profitable venture for both of them, earning them each about 300,000 francs.
Queen Marie-Antoinette
(1755-1793)
Staying in France, only a few years later we find the original party girl, Ms. Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna, better known as Queen Marie-Antoinette. The last French Queen was a huge fan of gambling.
At the time, aristocrats were forbidden to engage in trade, so gambling was one of the only honorable ways to make some extra cash. The Queen’s own mother taught her to gamble while still in the Austrian court. And she was good at it.
Marie-Antoinette took part in plenty of extravagant behavior; hunting in the Bois de Boulogne, spending heavily on clothing and sleigh racing, but her favorites pastime was probably playing and wagering on cards.
The Queen hosted nightly games but as her debts started to mount, King Louis XVI decided to put an end to it. She begrudgingly consented, but only on the agreement that she was allowed to play one more game. Being the bad-ass she was, she pushed it as far as she could and allowed the final game to go on for three solid days.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
(1756 – 1791)
As you can see, there clearly wasn’t much to do during the mid-18th century. And almost everyone ended up taking part in gambling in one form or another.
Another intrepid gambler was Mozart. Although a prolific musician at the time, he never did secure a permanent court term. So, in order to maintain a high standard of living, he needed plenty of extra cash.
He also taught music lessons to children and gambled to keep up appearances. This allowed him to move in aristocratic circles and to secure future projects.
Another composer at the time, the Italian Gioachino Rossini took it just one step further and created a casino in his opera house. He even sent the ballet dancers to perform in his casino during intermission.
James Butler Hickok
(1837 – 1876)
Famous Australian Gamblers Names
Jumping over the pond to the infamous town of Deadwood, South Dakota where murder was rampant and justice sparse. In this bizarre settlement in the mid-1800s you’d find “Wild Bill,” James Butler Hickok, who became synonymous with the wild west.
Born in Illinois, he worked as a lawman in the frontier territories and played his part in the US Civil War, making his name as a gunfighter and a scout.
A big fan of settling disputes with a duel, which he obviously always won, he was also big on a gamble. Poker was his game, but he made a lot of enemies as a war hero, and for this reason he insisted on sitting with his back to the wall when he was playing, so that he could keep his eye open for possible enemies.
On a fateful night in 1876, this position wasn’t possible, but the game was too good to miss out on. So, he took a seat with his back to the entrance at his favorite saloon in town, Nuttal & Mann’s Saloon No. 10 and started playing poker. During the game a local vigilante, Jack McCall, who had been slighted by Hickok the previous day, entered the bar and shot him at point-blank range in the back of the head.
Wild Bill died on the spot, in the middle of the hand, dropping his cards on the floor: an ace and an eight, which since then has become known as “the dead man’s hand”. He was later buried in the same plot as Calamity Jane.
In 1979, James Hickok was inducted into the poker hall of fame, 103 years after his passing. These days you can see him brought back to life by Keith Carradine on HBO’s appropriately named show, Deadwood.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 – 1945) delivers one of his Fireside Chats in the 1930’s.
(1882-1945)
FDR will go down in history as one of the most successful presidents in US history. But did you know he was a huge fan of gambling? As with our previous subjects, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a bit fan of Poker. But unlike many others on this list, he was never a big fan of high stakes.
A few times a week he would organize a game with his associates on the second floor White House study. The very room where he would sit to give his famous ‘fireside chats’. In fact, during these talks you can actually hear the clickety-clack of poker chips which he used to sooth himself during the popular radio broadcasts.
His poker table would often be filled with well-known makers and shakers of the day, including a weekly lunch and game with no other than Mark Twain.
One of FDRs best known federal programs, the New Deal, was apparently named after a new hand of poker rather than a new agreement, as many currently believe.
As mentioned before, he may have loved the thrill of the game, but he hated the idea of playing for high stakes. No matter how much his friends and associates pleaded, he refused to up the stakes above an ante of a dime. During a particularly bad run Attorney General Robert Jackson only lost $2.30 over a week.
His favorite games were seven-card stud with one-eyed jacks wild and Woolworth’s (where fives and tens were wild).
Frank Sinatra
(1915-1998)
This one may come as no surprise to you, but Old Blue Eyes was a huge fan of a casino. A leader of the Rat Pack and the original cast of Ocean’s Eleven, much of his time was spent in the Sin City. He first performed in Las Vegas at the Desert Inn in 1951.
As a cultural icon, he actually helped to create the glitzy image of Las Vegas as a cultural institution, with regular performances at the Sands. From Vegas to Tahoe, he has a go at every table in Nevada.
By 1960 he wanted to his own piece of the pie and started his very own casino, Cal Neva. The casino was on the shores of Lake Tahoe and attracted the likes of Lucille Ball, Joe DiMaggio, Lena Horne and Marilyn Monroe.
On his passing, the lights of the Strip were dimmed as a final tribute.
Charles Bukowski
(1920-1994)
An American icon, Bukowski’s writing epitomized L.A.’s 1970’s ‘everyman’ more than anyone else of the period.
His work often focused on the risk of gambling, both literally and in life. Books like “Ham on Rye”, Post Office” and “Hollywood” all touched on this topic. He even had a poem called “Gamblers”.
In his own life Bukowski spent a decade as a filling clerk, he then decided to take a chance on life and become a handicapper at the Hollywood Park racetrack. Unlike everyone else on this list, his game of choice was horseracing. Despite what you might assume, Bukowski was incredibly risk adverse. He never placed a bet on a gut feeling, but rather on well researched statistics.
He once said, “If you don’t gamble, you’ll never win”. Bukowski stated that he had no desire for a speech at his funeral other than to say he was “successful on betting on horses”.
Kerry Francis Bullmore Packer
(1937-2005)
Probably one of the lesser known individuals on our list, but none-the-less one of the most interesting. Kerry Packer encompassed everything it means to be a gambler.
Packer was a successful Australian media mogul, best known for establishing the World Series Cricket. There are countless stories of his crazy antics.
One of the best-known stories includes a toss of coin. While playing at the Stratosphere Casino, Packer was approached by a Texan oil tycoon who tried to get him to play a game of poker.
When he refused the Texan stated, “I’m worth $60 million!”, Packer quipped back, “head or tails?” suggesting a $120 million dollar wager. The Texan realized he’d more than met his match and politely backed down.
Other stories have him losing $28 million over a week in London (the biggest recorded loss in English history) and getting a payout of $33 million during one night at the MGN in Vegas.
These are some of the famous gamblers through history who made the cut, but many more could have been included. It just goes to show that some of the greatest minds, richly-talented souls and most influential people in history were as partial to a flutter as the rest of us.
Australians love gambling. There is no other way to put it. They have been gambling since the inception of the island nation, mostly under the table. There’s lotteries, horse racing, and the true Australian love, pokies.
The first pokie hall opened in 1956 even though traditional casinos were not legalized until 1973. The first land-based casino opened in February of 1973.
Since the first casino opened its doors, the casinos in Australia have multiplied revenue, making Australia one of the top gaming destinations for locals and tourist alike.
Australians will always love pokies, but the country is seeing a boom in the more elite high roller table games. Let’s dive in and learn more about gambling in Australia.
What the Heck Is a Pokie Anyway?
I thought I would cover this word that we don’t really use in the United States very often. Contrary to the American definition, a pokie in Australia is not jail. The word comes from the phrase poker machine. Over time, the slang evolved into “pokie” as it’s been shortened.
Pokies are the highest revenue generators in the Australian gambling economy. The Aussies treat pokie like a religion. They have their local pokie halls that consist of just rows upon rows of what we call slot machines.
Australian casinos make around 60% of every dollar spent in the island nation. That is some serious money. Now that you know what pokie means, let’s proceed.
1 – Wrest Point Casino (Hobart, Tasmania)
The Wrest Point Casino is the oldest casino in the country. The casino resort calls the suburb of Sandy Bay, Tasmania, home. It is located on the Derwent River. The hotel has amazing views of the river from most rooms.
Originally constructed as the Wrest Point Rivera Hotel in 1939. The current casino location has stayed up with current times through its modern feel.
On the 20,000-square-foot casino floor, you’ll find over 700 pokies and several gaming tables. The casino hosts blackjack and poker tournaments, as well as the famed Australian Dealer Championships.
Wrest Point Casino offers an array of social events, upscale hotel rooms, a conference center, and multiple dining options. The casino resort does have a dress code. If you’re looking to come in from their pool area to play a hand of blackjack, you will be sorely disappointed. No swim trunks or t-shirts are allowed on the casino floor.
2 – Country Club Tasmania (Launceston, Tasmania)
The Country Club Tasmania is located in Launceston, Tasmania. Launceston is one of Australia’s oldest cities. The casino opened in 1982. It is one of the larger casinos in Australia.
The casino has a unique layout. They put the gaming tables and the gaming machines (pokies) on sperate floors. If you’re a casual player or an experienced poker player, the Country Club Tasmania has something entertaining to offer you. They even have a special lounge and program for their VIP clients.
The exclusive location of the casino has superior views of the breath-taking scenery. The hotel resort has a golf course, boutique hotel and villas, excellent dinning options and live entertainments. There is something for everyone in your family.
3 – Crown Melbourne (Melbourne, Victoria)
The Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex originally opened in 1994 and relocated in 1997. The complex is a sprawling 500,00 square feet, making it a global contender with the largest casinos in the world.
The casino’s massive square footage and décor are reminiscent of the mega casinos found in Las Vegas. The Crown has three hotels, a staggering 25 restaurants two2 operated by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay) and over 10 bars. The complex offers a variety of live entertainment and nightclubs.
Crown Casino also has a luxury shopping center and spa. They even offer themed wedding packages to guests. This is the best casino in Australia for nightlife and non-gambling activities.
The casino resort brings in almost 11 million guests a year, more than the world-famous Sydney Opera House. The international gambling revenue is 800 million, making up a third of the casino’s total revenue.
Not ot mention, the casino highly values their VIP gamblers and offers a variety of promotions and vacation packages targeted toward this type of player.
4 – Crown Perth (Perth, Western Australia)
Located in the western part of Australia, the Crown Perth is located on the banks of the Swan River. The casino resort boasts a huge 94,750-square-foot casino floor. There is a poker room with 15 tables, two hotels, two huge concert halls, 30 restaurants and bars, and more spas than you can visit in one stay.
The casino floor hosts 2,500 Australian style pokies where you can win real money. Add the pokie selection to the large gaming area that includes roulette, baccarat, slot machines, and poker tables, and you’ve got a real diverse selection of gaming fun.
The casino complex was rebranded by famous Australian gambler Kerry Packer in 2011. The original name for the Crow Perth was the Burswood Island Casino for its original location in Burswood, Australia. The Crown Perth’s first location was just across the Swan River form Perth.
5 – Crown Sydney (Sydney, New South Wales)
The Crown Sydney is another property of the Crown Resorts owned and run by the Packers. The Crown Sydney is set to open as the second casino in the metropolitan city of Sydney. The grand opening is set for late 2020.
The press releases so far have made promises of the Crown Sydney being the most alluring casino destination in the world. They will run only with only VIP membership. The casino is described as having 75 floors and a finished height of 890 feet, which will make it the tallest building in Australia’s most populous city.
6 – Star Casino (Sydney, New South Wales)
The Star Casino is the second-largest gaming establishment in the country. The casino opened its doors in 1995. There is a VIP high-roller level as well as a gaming floor for regular players. The glamorous casino has been featured in a variety of Australian TV series and shows.
Famous Female Gamblers
Star Casino brings in 9 million guests annually, all of which are drawn in by the world-class entertainment, top-rated dining establishments, spas, clubs and more.
The casino floor is huge at an astounding 100,00 square feet of gaming space. You can enjoy over 1,490 slot machines, 35 poker tables, and 140 various casino games.
7 – The Star Gold Coast (Broadbeach, Queensland)
This casino is a property under the Star brand and is located in Broadbeach on the famous Gold Coast. First opened in 1985, the casino has been remodeled three times in the last 20 years.
The Star Gold Coast is always growing and updating its appeal to players by adding new gaming areas as well as other activities off the casino floor. The Star Gold Coast is formerly known as Jupiters Hotel and Casino, which has been involved in multiple scandals in the past.
Since the casino resort has been taken over by the Star Brand, it has started to shed its former lurid past. There are hundreds of pokies and over 28 gaming tables, which attract almost 11 billion people annually. Besides the monstrous casino floor (it’s 65,000 square feet), the casino is famous for its theater that hosts both national and international entertainment.
8 – Lasseters Hotel and Casino (Alice Springs, Northern Territory)
Lasseters is the only gaming establishment in Alice Springs. It has over 100 pokies, a sports betting lounge, and 20 gaming tables. The casino even has a multilevel loyalty program. The highest classification in their loyalty program is the Diamond level, which gives member access to the Diamond lounge. These VIP players have access to an a private high-roller events and food and drinks on the house.
Outside of being a first-class gambling experience, the players enjoy a multitude of nightlife, dining, entertainment, and spa experiences.
Conclusion
Famous Australian Gamblers Female
Australia legalized gambling fairly recently compared to the US. The famed Monte Carlo opened in the 1800s for comparison. Australia legalized gambling in the 1970s.
Famous Gamblers In History
Australia’s casino landscape is growing fast and morphing into a major attraction for the country. As more casinos open, the more popular the land-based attractions become. Australia is building bigger and better casino resorts on their beautiful coastlines.
The intrigue that Australia has always exuded is heightened when the glamour of posh casinos are added. Who wouldn’t want to travel to Australia, enjoy its unique scenery, gamble, eat at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant, and stay in a five-star hotel? I definitely do, will, and have!
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below. Happy gambling.