If there was a prize for the biggest gambling debts, Terrance Watanabe would be a clear winner.
At the casino tables of Las Vegas, however, he was quite the opposite, racking up $127million of debts in an astonishing year-long losing streak.
Now the 52-year-old Nebraskan - who made his money by selling his father's toy import firm - faces criminal charges over nonpayment of his debts.
In turn, he is suing the Caesars Palace and Rio casinos alleging they let him play while drunk, in violation of gambling rules.
His witnesses are said to include a Caesars security guard who 'does not recall ever seeing Mr Watanabe in a sober state'.
His playing was so bad that in 2007, Watanabe lost $5million in one 24-hour binge.
Watanabe's colossal losses soon became the stuff of legend - not to mention a tourist attraction.
'It got to the point where people would go just to watch,' said one Vegas regular.
'There are a lot of things that make you cringe in Vegas - but I've never seen anything like that.'
Watanabe has paid back $112million but he is refusing to hand over the rest.
At the casino tables of Las Vegas, however, he was quite the opposite, racking up $127million of debts in an astonishing year-long losing streak.
Now the 52-year-old Nebraskan - who made his money by selling his father's toy import firm - faces criminal charges over nonpayment of his debts.
In turn, he is suing the Caesars Palace and Rio casinos alleging they let him play while drunk, in violation of gambling rules.
His witnesses are said to include a Caesars security guard who 'does not recall ever seeing Mr Watanabe in a sober state'.
His playing was so bad that in 2007, Watanabe lost $5million in one 24-hour binge.
Watanabe's colossal losses soon became the stuff of legend - not to mention a tourist attraction.
'It got to the point where people would go just to watch,' said one Vegas regular.
'There are a lot of things that make you cringe in Vegas - but I've never seen anything like that.'
Watanabe has paid back $112million but he is refusing to hand over the rest.
Full Story @ ThisIs50
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