Kerry Packer Dies - Here Come the Stories

Filed in archive Gambling General on December 27, 2005

Australian Media mogul Kerry Packer died over the weekend - but whilst he was the richest man in Australia, he was probably more well-known in gambling circles as one of the ultimate high-rollers and with his death comes the stories, myths and exploits of the gambling legend

One story has him offering to flip a coin for a Texas millionaire's money

here's some others:

A London club reportedly closed its doors in 1991 due to a lack cash after he won $600,000, but this was never confirmed.

At times he cleaned up, reportedly pocketing $7 million at the Las Vegas Hilton casino in November 1991 and then tipping the croupiers $66,000.

In 1997, at the same Las Vegas casino where the Texas oilman confrontation occurred, he reportedly won almost $26 million.

He apparently once cashed in 20 baccarat hands in a row at $US250,000 ($A330,000). One witness was quoted as saying Mr Packer quietly played and did not even touch the fruit nearby, but simply said "thank you" with each winning hand.

And there were losses -- reportedly $60 million in one spree in Las Vegas while stuck there following the September 11 attacks.

Another unlucky streak was said to be almost $34 million in 2000 and sparking criticism of waste from then Labor frontbencher Mark Latham.

Of course, Packer denied most stories, but i'm sure there's many casinos in Vegas and around the world with one less high rolling superstar on their list

Article: Texan: I'm worth $100m
Packer: Toss you for it