There are many stories in the gambling world about huge wins and, conversely, huge losses. Most of these stories are great anecdotes but are far from incredible. They usually involve someone walking into a casino, walking up to a slot machine, and winning a huge payout.
In 2009, Patricia DeMauro set a world record for the longest craps roll in history at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City. Her winning streak lasted for four hours and 18 minutes, during which time she rolled the dice 154 consecutive times, winning an estimated $1.5 million. However, despite her incredible feat, DeMauro was ultimately banned from the casino.
One of the primary reasons why DeMauro was banned from the Borgata was that her winning streak was simply too improbable to be believed. Craps is a game of chance, and the odds of rolling the dice 154 times in a row without crapping out (i.e., rolling a 7) are astronomically low. According to some estimates, the odds of rolling the dice 154 times without crapping out are around 1 in 1.56 trillion. While it is possible for someone to get lucky and hit a long winning streak, the sheer unlikelihood of DeMauro’s feat raised suspicions among the casino staff and other players.
To investigate DeMauro’s play, the Borgata launched an internal investigation into her craps roll. They reviewed the security footage, interviewed witnesses, and analyzed her betting patterns. Ultimately, they concluded that DeMauro had not cheated or used any illegal techniques to win. However, they still decided to ban her from playing craps at their establishment in the future.
One reason why the Borgata decided to ban DeMauro was to protect their bottom line. While the casino did not accuse DeMauro of cheating, they were concerned that her winning streak could have a negative impact on their business. If other players saw that someone could win $1.5 million in a single craps roll, they might be more likely to try their luck at the game. This could lead to the casino losing money and potentially even going out of business. By banning DeMauro, the Borgata was sending a message to other players that they would not tolerate such high-stakes gambling.
Another reason why the Borgata banned DeMauro was to uphold the integrity of the game. Craps is a game of chance, and it is designed to be fair and equitable for all players. While it is possible to win big at craps, it is also possible to lose everything in a single roll. By allowing DeMauro to continue playing craps at their establishment, the Borgata would have been sending a message that the game was not truly fair. If someone could win $1.5 million in a single roll, it might be seen as proof that the game was rigged in some way. By banning DeMauro, the Borgata was showing that they took the fairness of their games seriously.
The implications of DeMauro’s ban go beyond just her individual case. Her story raises important questions about the role of luck in gambling and the responsibilities of casinos to their customers. On the one hand, it is clear that luck plays a significant role in gambling. While there are strategies and techniques that players can use to improve their odds of winning, ultimately the outcome of any individual game is determined by chance. DeMauro’s winning streak shows that it is possible to get incredibly lucky and win big at a game like craps.
On the other hand, DeMauro’s ban raises questions about the responsibilities of casinos to their customers. While it is true that gambling is a game of chance, casinos still have a duty to ensure that their games are fair and equitable. They must take steps to prevent cheating, fraud, and other forms of unfair play.
