The Biggest Sports Betting Wins in the US
Sports betting started as a pastime, then a hobby and money-making venture. Unlike other businesses, one of its greatest benefits is the possibility of winning million-dollar jackpots with as little as $1. Well, let us tell you remarkable stories of some of the sports bettors with the biggest winnings of all time across basketball, soccer, horse racing, American football, cricket, and rugby.
Top 7 Biggest Winners in Sports Betting History
Not all gamblers like to reveal their identity. As a result, some anonymous winnings cannot be credited to an individual. But the record shows they earned huge rewards for their stake. This is not surprising, as some casinos offer high payouts to retain customers. If you’re in Michigan, the Lucky Michigan reviews mention the top highest-paying Michigan online casinos to win real money. The providers offer an average RTP as high as 97.43% and generous bonuses. That said, take a look at the top winners below:
1. Anonymous – $14 million
The first on the list is a lucky punter that placed a bet between the Houston Astros and LA Dodgers in the 2017 world series. He left the bet for six games and wagered across different bookies in Vegas. On November 1, he won $14 million.
2. Billy Walters – $3.5 million
Many people consider Billy one of the most successful bettors in history. True to his record, he made headlines in 2010 after winning $3.5 million from betting on the Super Bowl. The match involved the underdogs New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. Surprisingly, the Saints won 31-17, and Walters earned $3.5 million. It was his personal best and his biggest win to date.
3. Vegas Dave – $2.5 million on a $140,000 bet
Dave won a grand prize of $2.5 million after predicting the Kansas City Royals would win the world series. This happened a week into the 2015 season, and most casinos viewed his bet as a liability. They thought he was crazy for risking $1140,000 on 30/1 odds. Hence, he split the wager across 15 different casinos, and it ultimately paid off.
4. Steve Whiteley – £1.5 million on a £2 bet
Critics don’t believe it is ever possible to win millions with the cheapest stake. Well, this 61-year-old heating engineer proved everyone wrong by winning £1.5 million on a £2 bet. In fact, he used a free ticket to join the horse race event and placed a bet. Steve also landed a record Totesport Jackpot in the process.
5. James Adducci – $1.2 million
Adducci is one of the few people to win over $1 million on The Masters. In 2019, he placed an $85,000 bet on Tiger Woods to win The Masters when Woods was at 14/1. Although Adducci claimed it was his first wager, it was daring, considering the situation. His record-breaking win was William Hill’s biggest-ever futures payout.
6. Fred Craggs – £1 million on a £0.50 bet
Fred is the second gambler on our list to win millions with the cheapest stake. Like Steve Whiteley, Fred Craggs was a 60-year-old fertilizer salesman. He wagered 50 pence on an eight-fold accumulator on horse racing. He didn’t even know he had won until he returned for another gambling hand. Surprisingly, Fred would have won more than that if he had chosen a no-limit bet.
7. Mike Futter – £800,000
Mike Futter gambled for most of his life, but the win on his own horse was the most significant one ever. Mike owns six bingo clubs, two in the Republic and four in Northern Ireland. He won £400,000 for his bet and another £348,000 for being the horse owner.
Conclusion
The gambling industry has a long list of individuals who have won millions with the cheapest and highest stakes. If anything, they are a testament that you can do it too. Visit a bookmaker today and try your luck. But more importantly, gamble responsibly.
