William Lee Bergstrom

William Lee Bergstrom (1951 – February 4, 1985), commonly known as The Suitcase Man or Phantom Gambler, was a gambler and high roller known for placing the largest bet in casino gambling history at the time, amounting to $777,000 ($ present-day amount) at the Horseshoe Casino, which he won. Bergstrom returned to the Horseshoe three years later in 1984 and placed several additional bets, including a $1 million bet ($ present-day value) which he lost.

Gambling On September 24, 1980, Bergstrom arrived at Binion's Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas with two suitcases: one containing $777,000 in cash, the other empty. Benny Binion had a policy of honoring a bet of any size if it was the player's first bet at the casino. Bergstrom, who remained anonymous at the time, placed the full amount on the Don't Pass line in craps. The shooter established a point of six, then made a seven two rolls later, resulting in a $777,000 win for Bergstrom. Binion helped Bergstrom stack his winnings into the empty suitcase.

On his second visit, Bergstrom placed a $538,000 bet, again on a single roll of dice. He won again, took his mother to a Willie Nelson show, and won an additional $117,000 on three more craps bets.

Then on November 16, he returned and placed a $1,000,000 bet with a suitcase filled with $550,000 in cash, $140,000 in gold Krugerrands, and $310,000 in cashier's checks. Again, Bergstrom bet the Don't Pass. This time, the shooter threw a seven on the come-out roll, resulting in a loss for Bergstrom.

His note suggested his suicide was triggered by a breakup with a man 10 years his junior.