Casinos have always been an alluring target for criminals looking to make a quick buck. From the glamour and glitz of Las Vegas to the opulent casinos in Monte Carlo, the lure of untold riches has drawn many to try their luck at robbing these establishments. Despite the high security measures, some heists have been successful, leaving a trail of intrigue and mystery. Here are some of the most famous casino heists in history:
The Stardust Heist
In September 1992, the Stardust Casino in Las Vegas was the target of one of the biggest heists in history. A group of men entered the casino and made their way to the cashier’s cage, where they brandished guns and demanded money. They managed to escape with $500,000 in cash and $1.1 million in chips. The heist was well-planned and executed, and the robbers were never caught. However, the Stardust Casino was able to recover most of the stolen chips, which were rendered useless after the casino changed their design.
The Bellagio Heist
In 2000, a group of thieves pulled off a daring heist at the Bellagio Casino in Las Vegas. The group, dressed in black jumpsuits and wearing masks, entered the casino and headed straight for the high-stakes poker room. They used sledgehammers to smash the glass cases holding the chips and made off with $1.5 million worth of chips. The robbers fled the scene in a car driven by a getaway driver, but they were eventually caught and sentenced to prison. Most of the stolen chips were recovered, and the Bellagio was able to continue using them after changing their design.
The Ritz-Carlton Heist
In July 2013, a group of thieves pulled off a heist at the Ritz-Carlton in Cannes, France. The group, who were armed with guns and grenades, entered the hotel through a side entrance and made their way to the jewelry store inside. They used axes to smash the display cases and made off with jewelry worth an estimated $136 million. The robbers were eventually caught and sentenced to prison, but only a small portion of the stolen jewelry was recovered.
The Crown Casino Heist
In 2013, a group of men pulled off a heist at the Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia. The group, who were all employees of the casino, used their insider knowledge to steal $32 million in chips. They used a high-tech scheme involving hidden cameras and secret signals to communicate with each other and avoid detection. The robbers were eventually caught and sentenced to prison, and the Crown Casino was able to recover most of the stolen chips.
The Monte Carlo Heist
In 2005, a group of thieves pulled off a heist at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco. The group, who were armed with guns and wearing masks, entered the casino and made their way to the section where the high rollers played. They used guns to force the dealers to empty the chips from the tables and made off with an estimated $30 million. The robbers were eventually caught and sentenced to prison, but only a small portion of the stolen chips were recovered.
- Casino heists have always been a popular subject for movies and books, but they are also a harsh reality. These notorious heists have left a lasting impression on the gambling world and serve as a reminder that no matter how tight security measures are, there is always a chance that someone will try to beat the system.
