Media and casino mogul Kerry Packer was a man of legends. Packer's passing this week brings to the fore the often apocryphal tales told about Australia's richest man, a gambler both in business and for pleasure. Roulette is believed to have been his game of choice, though he was a regular at the blackjack and baccarat tables as well.
Over the years, Packer had some astounding gambling wins, although his gambling losses were equally memorable. A single visit by Packer could determine whether a casino would surpass market forecasts or finish the quarter in the red. According to one legend, Packer won $20 million over the span of a few days at Las Vegas' MGM Grand, allegedly leading to the termination of several casino execs. This story is told in a number of versions, with the winnings growing with every telling. One version puts Kerry's win at $40 million.
Packer's losses were nothing to balk at either. In July 1999, Packer reportedly lost $34 million in a Las Vegas gambling frenzy. A year later, he reportedly dropped an additional $28 million in a single night at a London Casino. As with other Packer legends, there are a number of versions to the story. Some say he lost it all playing roulette; others say blackjack was the culprit.
In the end, however, the facts are unimportant, as it's the legend that survives. The roulette tables of the world will no longer be flanked by Kerry Packer in body, but his legend will endure.
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