Record Breaking Gambler Popped for Cheating in San Diego
A famous California gambler primarily known for putting together a record-setting winning streak is apparently ready to go down in the history books for something else: cheating at blackjack.
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Archie Karas has been criminally charged in connection with a case of card-marking at San Diego’s Barona Resort and Casino.
Karas made millions off $50
Karas, who is 62 years old, is perhaps best known for an early 1990’s winning streak that saw him convert $50 into $40 million in a three year period from 1992 to 1995.
The Greek born Karas, whose given name is Anargyros Karabourniotis, won the money by playing pool and poker in Las Vegas. He managed to lose it all by the time 1995 drew to a close, largely by playing dice, in a much shorter period than he took accumulating it: three weeks.
Karas, who has also enjoyed a few lesser winning streaks in the years since he first came to prominence as one of the world’s most colorful high rollers, has made multiple appearances across a wide range of media. He has appeared in the coverage of the 2008 World Series of Poker and in a profile aired on the E! channel.
There have also been numerous articles written about Karas, in addition to a book about him called The Man With The $100,000 Breasts – seemingly a very, very odd title for a book about a gambler until you learn that Karas once actually got breast implants as part of a wager.
This time not quite so fortunate
Though it has been nearly twenty years since his fortune was made and lost – Karas finds himself back in the headlines as he stands charged with burglary, cheating, and winning by fraudulent means after allegedly being caught on video surveillance marking cards at the Barona property during the month of July.
Karas still lives in Nevada, where he was arrested at his home this week. NBC 7 San Diego reported that the Nevada Gaming Control Board also was involved in nabbing Karas, who is said to have netted about $8,000 in his blackjack cheating scheme. He will be returned to California to face the charges, according to the media.
“This defendant’s luck ran out thanks to extraordinary cooperation between several different law enforcement agencies who worked together to investigate and prosecute this case,” noted San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
Karas is currently still in jail in Las Vegas, where he is being held without bond as authorities prepare to send him back to California.
