A 24-year-old Chicago gambler scored an incredible $800,000 through a series of sports bets, but now he’s in a bitter fight after multiple casinos refused to pay his winnings.
Thomas McPeek, an avid sports fan from suburban Chicago, is under fire for the methods he allegedly used to place his bets. As a result, McPeek may be gearing up to sue the gambling establishments that denied him his payouts.
A Passion Turned into Profits
Living at home with his parents, McPeek’s basement is decorated with memorabilia from beloved Chicago teams like the Cubs and Bears. Over time, his enthusiasm for sports evolved into an income stream.
McPeek diligently researched sports statistics, read stacks of books, and developed what he called a “calculated attack” to find an edge in betting.
“I thought I had an advantage,” McPeek told CBS News.
Winning Big — But at a Cost
Last year, McPeek placed countless sports wagers, often opting for parlays — high-risk, high-reward bets that require multiple outcomes to win.
Armed with $30,000, he visited the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, in August and raked in $350,000 over about a week. The following month, he took $20,000 to the Isle Casino in Bettendorf, Iowa — owned by Caesars Entertainment — and placed hundreds of bets over four hours, aiming for another major haul.
In total, his winning tickets were worth around $800,000.
However, when it came time to cash out, the casinos refused. The Horseshoe Casino voided his tickets, citing their house rules, and the Isle Casino similarly declined to pay him.
Allegations of “Sneaky” Behavior
The casinos claim McPeek tried to circumvent house rules by spreading smaller bets across kiosks and altering his appearance with disguises like sunglasses and hats to avoid attention.
Although he won fair and square by outcome, the casinos argue he broke wagering rules related to structuring and repeat bets, especially since he traveled across state lines to do it.
At the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana, McPeek was initially paid $127,000 — but was immediately banned afterward.
Experts Split on McPeek’s Case
Opinions on McPeek’s case are divided:
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Scott Morrow, a former Las Vegas casino employee and gaming instructor, believes McPeek knowingly violated rules, calling it hard to have sympathy for him.
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Eli Feustel, an author on betting strategy, sides with McPeek, criticizing Caesars for voiding bets only after they lost — not when placed, which he says puts the casino in the wrong.
McPeek has already filed complaints with Indiana and Iowa gaming regulators, though Indiana has ruled against him. Iowa regulators are still reviewing his case.
Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment is standing firm, offering to refund McPeek’s original bet amounts, including losing tickets — but not his winnings.
“I didn’t do anything illegal,” McPeek said. “It’s horrible what they’re doing to me.”
Responsible Gambling Reminder
While McPeek’s story highlights the risks and complexities of high-stakes betting, experts urge all gamblers to remember:
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Set clear money and time limits.
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Never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose.
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Avoid gambling when feeling upset or emotional.
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Seek help if gambling starts to affect your life.
For support, contact the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit ncpgambling.org.
