Anyone who has ever spent time at an online casino and nothing is going your way has felt dumb for doing so. You can be crass and say that taking one’s hard-earned money, closing your eyes and praying that the outcome of some spinning reels will change your life is the epitome of stupidity.
It’s arguably true, I guess, but to so many of us it’s a lifestyle and something we feel passionately about. It is also a way to make some extra money and even though it’s not always life-changing, it can be a solid chunk of cash from time to time.
Let the Craziness Begin
Today I’m here to tell you that it’s ok because no matter how dumb you feel at times, you’re not anywhere near as nuts as some of the people in the stories you are about to read. There are some seriously whacky stories and events out there and I hope you are curious to hear more about this craziness having taken place over the years in the world of gambling.
From breast implants on a man to prison casinos, pedestrianism and the world’s smallest casino – fasten your seatbelt!
Meet Brian Zembic
The Legend of Brian Zembic
Let’s kick things off by heading back to 1996 and one of the nuttiest stories I’ve ever come across. A Canadian named Brian Zembic was a professional gambler as well as a magician. It turns out that Zembic also had a passion for making outrageous bets with people.
Just to give you some examples, he once lived in his friend’s bathroom for a month in order to win $7,000. Another time he slept under the 59th Street Bridge in New York City for a week with $20,000 strapped to his leg.
“If I Had Boobs Like Her”
His most famous bet however took place in 1997 during a vacation in Europe with some of his friends. One of his friends had his girlfriend with him and half jokingly, Zembic says “If I had boobs like her, I would get as much attention as she does.” What a statement, huh?
Well, his friend decided to call his bluff and asked how much it would take for him to actually go through with it. They both decided on a bet giving Zembic $100,000 IF he would keep his breast implants for an entire year.
Does this sweater make me look fat?
Backgammon Pays for the Surgery
The next step was to get the actual surgery which obviously wasn’t going to be free. Being the professional gambler that he was, Zembic decided to check with a plastic surgeon that he knew, who also had a soft spot for gambling. The two played Backgammon for an hour, Zembic won $5,000 which was enough to cover the operation.
After seeing how much Zembic started to love his new perky additions, his friend offered to buy out the bet for $50,000 and Zembic would be able to take them out. Believe it or not, Zembic laughed it off, said no, kept them for the entire year and pocketed the full $100,000.
Brian Zembic kept his implants for 20 years
Finders Keepers
As crazy as this all sounds, it’s not even the craziest part of the story. Zembic developed such an appreciation for his boobs that he kept them for almost 20 years. During this time, Zembic appeared in multiple documentaries and TV-shows before finally deciding on having his beloved implants removed in the summer of 2016!
I honestly don’t know what to say.
Welcome to the Nevada State Prison Bullpen Casino
What Happens in Vegas ONLY Happens in Vegas
Everyone knows Las Vegas doesn’t work like any other city on the planet. It may have cleaned up and become much more civilized these days but things were different in the 1930’s. This story will take you inside the gates of the infamous Nevada State Prison.
The Great Depression
Gambling was first legalized in Nevada in 1931, which also happened to be smack in the middle of The Great Depression. At the time, Nevada was building the Hoover Dam and securing all the funding wasn’t as easy to come by because of the financial situation the country was in.
The Great Depression led to The Bullpen
We Need to be Creative
This meant that the state had to generate revenue from alternative methods, meaning it’s time for the Governor to get creative. Hmm, why don’t we open a casino INSIDE the prison that can be run by the inmates themselves? Sure thing, the official “Bullpen Casino” opened up in 1932. This had never been done before or since for obvious reasons.
No Fighting – No Problem
You would think that running an operation like this inside a federal prison would get messy and violent. Wrong! Instead, the inmates surprised everyone and the Bullpen was run without problem for more than 30 years!
Inmates were able to play games like Blackjack, Craps, Poker, Gin Rummy and even Sports Betting. By keeping the inmates busy at the casino, they actually stayed out of trouble.
It’s hard to believe there were no issues among the inmates
The End of an Era
All good things must come to an end and when a new Warden came to Nevada in 1967, he quickly shut down the Bullpen. Being from California and not Las Vegas, he didn’t have the same appreciation for gambling, especially not inside a prison.
Going forward, the inmates were instead forced to occupy themselves with things like chess, volleyball and ping pong instead. I’m sure the inmates went back to causing problems after being robbed of their precious casino.
You are hereby invited to the Pedestrian Match
Pedestrianism – The Sport That Was Bigger Than Football
Have you ever heard of Pedestrianism? Don’t worry, neither have I. During the 19th Century Pedestrianism was a sport of epic rivalries, eye-watering salaries, feverish nationalism, eccentric personalities and 6-day, 724 km (450-mile) walks.
To give you an idea of what it would be like, let me set the mood for you. For whatever reason, the race always began at 1:00am on a Monday morning. As many as 10,000 people would come to the original Madison Square Garden in New York (among other places) to watch 13 men in tight leggings and tiny shorts walk in circles. No, I’m not joking.
On your marks
These contestants were not just anyone off the streets, instead they were well-known athletes from around the world. In fact, they even had their own team of doctors, coaches and even chefs.
Serious Business
The events were serious business which included corporate sponsorships and of course, a lot of sports betting.
19th Century Elite Athletes
Pedestrian Rules
The rules were simple. Basically the contestants were required to walk in circles for six days in a row, until they had completed laps equivalent to at least 724 km (450 miles). The “athletes” could run, walk or crawl, but they must not leave the oval-shaped sawdust track until the race was over.
This meant that they ate, drank, napped and anything else in smaller tents on the side. Some of these tents were properly furnished and decorated.
The Royal Agricultural Hall in London was another popular venue
Professional Athletes Making Money
You might be thinking if or how much these athletes were getting paid? They sure did and at the time they were making some serious dough. The one who managed to get the furthest during the time of the event would win as much as $25,000.
On top of the cash, he would also be awarded a belt made out of solid silver with the words “Long Distance Champion of the World” engraved.
How did this sport even come about? Because of a silly bet back in 1859 of course. I can actually see this being a very popular event for sports betting even today, couldn’t you?
Welcome to the World’s Smallest Casino
The World’s Smallest Casino – A Birmingham Taxi
Who says a casino has to be big with hundreds of Slots, Craps and Roulette tables. One of the funniest and creative ideas ended up being known as the World’s Smallest Casino and was set up in the back of a taxi in Birmingham, England.
For one week only, the Birmingham Grosvenor Casino brought the action to the streets. Inside the cab, passengers would find a Blackjack table, a dealer, a bar, a TV-screen showing sports. It even offered online gambling capabilities via a tablet. I guess you could call it 4-Wheels of Fortune.
Passengers could choose between being taken to the Grosvenor Casino, free of charge, or going anywhere in the city for an optional donation to the Casino’s chosen charity.
If you happen to see a cab like this on the street, I suggest you wave it down.
Who Else Needs a Break?
I find it entertaining reading about fascinating, weird stories and events like these. However, I don’t know about you but I could use a break after and what better way than enjoying the calm, relaxing vibe of a “normal” casino. Thankfully I have a list full of online casinos for you to pick from.
At least that way I won’t be at risk of making any crazy bets resulting in plastic surgery!
Good luck!
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