Marina Bay Sands in Singapore experienced a tumultuous event over the weekend, according to posts on social media platforms like X. 

The well-known integrated resort casino managed by Las Vegas Sands was the site where a gambler, as per videos posted online, won a S$4 million (US$2.95M) jackpot while participating in an unspecified high-stakes game. That's where the man's luck took a different direction. 

Shortly after winning the jackpot, the man rejoiced before experiencing cardiac arrest. The video captures a man on the ground as security and medical personnel attend to him. The unnamed individual allegedly experienced a severe heart attack but lived. A woman is visible, screaming in terror while the attempts to revive the man continue. 

Numerous social media accounts claimed the man had passed away, but those claims were false, and he is recuperating, anticipated to relish his wealth upon fully regaining his health. 

Payment Still Owed 

Numerous people on social media questioned whether casinos are still obligated to pay a jackpot if the winner passed away just after winning and prior to claiming the money. 

In response to a 2019 Reddit discussion on the theoretical matter, a lawyer stated that in the US, the prizes would be allocated to the gambler's family members. 

“A casino game is a contract, and believe it or not, death does not change a contract. You made an agreement with the casino that you will pay for the chance to play a game, and if the game comes out a certain way, the casino will owe you a certain amount of money,” the attorney explained.

"You could die before the slot machine stops spinning and your estate is still owed the winnings,” the answer continued. “As with any contract, the benefits of that contract go to the estate, and the estate will be distributed according to the will of the deceased.”

While uncommon, it’s not unheard of for a gambler to pass away after a significant win. For certain individuals, the excitement of becoming wealthy is just too overwhelming for their body and heart to bear. 

In 2002, a gambler at Harrah's in Atlantic City hit a $10K slot machine jackpot. Shortly after being handed $5,000 in cash and a $5,000 check, the 61-year-old experienced a heart attack while sitting in a casino lounge and was subsequently declared dead. 

Demise Following Grief 

A far more frequent event is gamblers taking their own lives following significant losses. One of the most infamous stories is that of “The Suitcase Man.” 

On September 24, 1980, only a few days after his boyfriend ended their relationship, William Lee Bergstrom borrowed money through multiple loans and headed to the Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. He wagered $777K, equivalent to roughly $2.9 million today, on the Don’t Pass line at a craps table. Bergstrom subsequently stated that he intended to take his own life if he lost the wager. The wager succeeded, and Bergstrom journeyed worldwide during the next four years. 

He came back to Las Vegas on March 24, 1984, carrying a different suitcase packed with cash. He made a $538K wager ($1.6 million in current value) on the Don’t Pass line and won once more. In November, Bergstrom went back to Binion’s and made a $1 million ($3.6 million) bet that he lost. 

Bergstrom was unable to heal from the loss and took his own life by swallowing pills on February 4, 1985. He was aged 33 years.