The Biggest Roulette Wins in History

Roulette has produced some of the most thrilling moments in casino history. From life-changing bets to legendary winning streaks, these stories of the biggest roulette gambling wins showcase the excitement and potential fortunes that the game offers.
This article delves into the remarkable tales of individuals who defied the odds and walked away with massive winnings.
Historical Context of Roulette Wins
Roulette, originating in 18th century France, quickly became a staple on the casino floor. The game evolved into various versions. European roulette is the most popular due to its single zero, which offers better odds than the American version with a double zero. Over the years, roulette has been associated with significant wins, drawing both high rollers and casual players seeking fortune.
The roulette big winners have turned single bets into life-changing sums, cementing the game’s reputation for dramatic and historic wins.
Biggest Roulette Wins in History

Throughout the roulette history, there have been numerous best roulette wins that have captured the imagination of gamblers and the public alike. These incredible stories of fortune demonstrate the thrilling potential of roulette, where a single spin can change lives. Here are some of the most notable wins:
Ashley Revell
Ashley Revell famously sold all his possessions and traveled to Las Vegas in 2004, betting his entire life savings of $135,300 on red at the roulette table. His gamble at the Plaza Hotel & Casino paid off, doubling his money to the biggest roulette payout of $270,600.
This life-changing win led him to establish an online poker business and inspired many other gamblers to take similar risks. Revell’s bold move was captured in the Sky documentary “Double or Nothing,” showcasing his nerve-wracking yet successful bet.
Charles Wells
Charles Wells is known for his incredible winning streak at the Monte Carlo casino resort in 1891. Born in 1841, Wells was an English gambler and fraudster who made headlines by “breaking the bank” at Monte Carlo.
This term refers to depleting the funds at the gaming table he played on. Wells achieved this feat twice in the same year, turning his initial investment into over a million francs. His success inspired the famous song “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo.” Despite his dubious methods and later fraudulent activities, Wells remains a legendary figure in the world of gambling.
Pedro Grendene Bartelle
Pedro Grendene Bartelle achieved a massive win in Uruguay by betting large sums on single numbers. In 2017, at the Hotel Conrad in Punta del Este, Bartelle placed a £35,000 bet on the number 32.
His strategic play paid off, resulting in the biggest roulette win ever of nearly £3.5 million. The incredible moment was captured on video, showing Pedro Grendene Bartelle winning’s celebration surrounded by friends and onlookers.
Bartelle, a nephew of billionaire Alexandre Grendene Bartelle, co-founded Grendene, the third largest footwear company in the world, and is currently worth $1.8 billion according to Forbes.
Philip Green
British billionaire Sir Philip Green, known as the “King of Retail,” has a reported net worth of $2.4 billion. His wealth stems from his businesses, including Topshop and the Arcadia Group, and substantial real estate investments.
Green’s financial prowess allowed him to place a £500,000 bet at the Mayfair Club in London. This bold wager paid off, and he walked away with almost the largest roulette win, a £2 million profit. His win was so significant that the casino subsequently lowered its table limits to prevent such large payouts in the future.
Other notable wins
Several other players have won significant amounts at roulette tables worldwide, adding to the lore of big wins in roulette history.
Chris Boyd, an average guy, saved $220,000 over three years and wagered it all at Binion’s Horseshoe Club in Las Vegas, doubling his money. Joseph Jagger, a mechanic, exploited a biased roulette wheel and won 2 million francs. Richard Jarecki, a medical professional, used wheel bias to win over $1 million in European casinos. Mike Ashley, billionaire entrepreneur, won £1.3 million at a Mayfair casino with a complete bet strategy.
Then there are also some biggest roulette winners in online casinos worldwide, but they usually remain anonymous. It might just be unknown what the biggest win in roulette ever or the highest roulette payout really is.
Strategies and Approaches

Roulette winners often employ various strategies to secure their wins. These strategies range from betting on a single number, using the Martingale strategy, or placing high stakes on even money bets.
For example, Charles Wells’ infamous winning streak in Monte Carlo involved high-stakes bets and possibly the Martingale strategy, where bets double after each loss to recover previous losses and gain a profit.
One notable strategy was developed by Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo at Casino Gran Madrid. He discovered that roulette wheels had slight imperfections, leading to a bias where the ball landed more frequently.
Garcia-Pelayo meticulously recorded the outcomes of thousands of spins, identifying these biases. By betting on the roulette numbers that appeared more often, he managed to win $1.5 million. This method of exploiting wheel bias is rare today due to technological advancements and casinos regularly maintaining their equipment to prevent such advantages. Also, this roulette strategy would not work in an online casino.
Luck vs. strategy
While luck plays a significant role if you want to win big, strategic approaches can enhance the odds of winning. For instance, betting on even money bets like red or black can provide more frequent, albeit smaller, wins.
The balance between luck and strategy is crucial in roulette, as even the best strategies cannot guarantee consistent success without an element of luck while playing roulette.
Impact on Casinos
Big roulette wins can significantly impact casinos, leading to immediate financial strain due to large payouts. To manage these risks, casinos often lower betting limits and employ advanced technologies to prevent exploits.
Some players believe that after a big win, they should switch casinos, thinking it’s unlikely to win big twice at the same place. Physical casinos counter this by pampering winners with luxurious offers, encouraging them to return.
Most casinos may also offer to keep a portion of the winnings as credit, enticing players to continue playing without cashing out entirely. This strategy benefits both the casino, by retaining the player, and the player, by providing an incentive to return.
Conclusion
Roulette’s allure lies in its potential for significant wins, as demonstrated by historical figures like Ashley Revell and Charles Wells. While big wins can impact casinos, they manage these risks by adjusting betting limits and using advanced technologies.
Some players believe in switching casinos after a big win, but physical casinos entice winners to return with luxurious offers and by keeping part of the winnings as credit. Whether you rely on strategy or luck, the thrill of roulette remains undeniable.
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