Massive Lottery Victory Triggers Heart Attack in Jubilant Gambler
The iconic Marina Bay Sands in Singapore recently witnessed a dramatic incident, as per various social media posts.
The well-known integrated resort casino managed by Las Vegas Sands was the setting for a gambler's lucky break, as per videos shared online, who allegedly won a whopping S$4 million (US$2.95M) while playing an unspecified high-stakes game. However, his good fortune took an unexpected turn.
Post-jackpot, the man celebrated only to suffer a cardiac arrest. The footage shows the man lying on the floor as security and medical staff attend to him. The unnamed individual supposedly suffered a severe heart attack but managed to pull through. A woman can be heard shouting in terror as the resuscitation attempts continue.
Although some social media claims suggested the man passed away, these reports were unsubstantiated, and the man is currently recovering and expected to relish his winnings once he regains his health.
Payday on Hold
Social media users inquired whether casinos are required to honor the payout if the winner dies before collecting the funds.
In response to a 2019 Reddit thread contemplating this issue, an attorney replied that in the US, the winnings would be passed on to the gambler’s close relatives.
"A casino game represents a contract, and surprisingly, death does not dissolve a contract. You agreed with the casino to pay for the opportunity to play a game, and if the game concludes favorably, the casino owes you a specific sum of money," the attorney clarified.
Even if you die before the slot machine comes to a halt and your estate remains unpaid, your estate is still eligible for the winnings," the response continued. "As with any contract, the benefits of that contract are distributed to the estate, and the estate will be apportioned according to the will of the deceased."
Though uncommon, a gambler succumbing to their winnings isn't entirely unheard of. For some, the excitement of striking it rich is too much for their mental and physical wellbeing to handle.
In 2002, a player at Harrah’s in Atlantic City bagged a $10K slot jackpot. Just moments after receiving $5,000 in cash and a $5,000 check, the 61-year-old had a cardiac arrest while sitting in a casino lounge and subsequently passed away.
Death After Loss
A far more common scenario is gamblers passing away after suffering significant losses, often by taking their own lives. One of the most infamous tales involves "The Suitcase Man."
On Sept. 24, 1980, just a few days after his lover ended their relationship, William Lee Bergstrom borrowed money and ventured to Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in downtown Las Vegas. He put $777K, approximately $2.9 million in today’s money, on the Don’t Pass line of a craps table, promising to commit suicide if he lost. The bet won, and over the next four years, Bergstrom traveled the world.
He returned to Las Vegas on March 24, 1984, with another suitcase full of cash. He wagered $538K, equivalent to $1.6 million in today’s money, on the Don’t Pass line and again emerged victorious. Bergstrom revisited Binion’s that November and made a $1 million, or $3.6 million today, wager that he lost.
Bergstrom was never able to recover from the loss and subsequently took his own life by ingesting pills on Feb. 4, 1985, at the age of 33.
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