The dreams of many sometimes become the reality of a few. These are the stories of ordinary people who trusted in luck at the gambling tables in Las Vegas, and they left the desert with wealth beyond imagination.

Most people dream about the day of winning it big once in their lives, but for Elmer Sherwin, it happened twice. The 76-year-old WW II veteran tried his luck at the newly opened Mirage. He was playing the Megabuck jackpot, and within only 10 hours after The Mirage opened its doors, they had to pay Sherwin, winning the prize, a total of $4.6 million.

Sherwin spent his newfound wealth travelling the world, but he kept on playing the slots every week. He had a dream of becoming the first winner taking home the jackpot twice. After 16 years of perseverance, that is precisely what happened when Sherwin won the same prize once again. This time around the pot was standing at $21 million. By becoming the first winner of two containers in his life, he achieved his dream and donated the jackpot to charity.

Amy Nishimura

The 71-year-old was on vacation from Hawaii, and every time she was in Las Vegas, she would play at the Freemont Hotel at the same machine. Nishimura was playing for about 3 hours with no more than $100 when she hit it big and cashed out nearly $9 million. Just showing that if you can’t invest large amounts of money, then patience might also get you there.

An Unknown Man Just Passing Time

The Excalibur Casino was the place where an unknown young man from Los Angeles was passing the time awaiting a basketball game. While waiting, he played a bit on the machines and made some pre-game cash valued at $39 million. This seems like the perfect way to pass the time. The young man made the smart choice and opted for an annual payout of $1.5 million per year over the next 25 years instead of taking it all at once.

Kerry Packer

Packer was an Australian billionaire who regularly visited Las Vegas during some of his high roller adventures. During one such lavish trip in 1997, Packer increased his riches even further with his entire winnings being estimated between $20 and $40 million purely between playing baccarat and blackjack. According to the stories being told, he even lavishly tipped his doorman a total of $1 million. Once again confirming the importance of the company you keep. Packer, however, didn’t know when to stop and two years later, his luck ran dry when he lost $28 million in a casino in London.

The Perseverance of the Elderly

It seems that the older players get, the more perseverance they show. A lady in her sixties won The Wheel of Fortune at the Palace Station Hotel totalling at $680 000. This was, however, no reason for her to stop and she continued to return only to win $27 million in the Megabuck jackpot only a few months later.

While snacking away on your favourite foods, do you ever think where did it come from? Every state in the US has a dish or an ingredient that triumphs all the rest. With sports betting legalized in most states, this is what we can do next. Let’s explore some of these desired dishes and eating out opportunities.

Destinations

• Alabama – This southern state is the home to the pecan nut. Here you will find the best in sweet pecan comforts. Every year they also host the ever-popular pecan festival which showcases the best pecan delicacies, carnival rides, country music and a great welcome into the state of friendly folk.
• Arizona – If you are devoted to the freshest and crunchiest salads, then you probably are having some of this sunny state’s lettuce on your plate. Arizona is the leading provider of winter lettuce in the United States. Up to 90% of all leafy greens eaten between November and March come from Arizona. Every year they also have the Lettuce Festival in the City of Yuma.
• California – The state’s green fields and blue skies are the perfect home for cows. Most of the dairy farms in the state are family-owned, and together they provide about 99% of all the dairy used in the States. Therefore next time you are spreading some butter on your toast or enjoying some great ice cream on a hot summer day, you can almost be sure that it came from the Golden State.
• Connecticut – In 1908, George Smith was the man who invented lollipops in New Haven, Connecticut. Today a much loved sweet and enjoyed globally with very few aware of the fact that it is indeed named after a horse. Smith used the name of Lolly Pop, a great competitor on the tracks at the time to call his newly invented sweet.
• Indiana – During 2018, 983 million bushels of corn were harvested in this state. No wonder, it is indeed the country’s biggest corn producer and even has a town called Popcorn.
• Nevada – The destination for gamblers and sports betters, runaway weddings and memorable weekends. Here you will, however, find more than the best bookmakers in town, but also a great bang for your buck when eating out. Home to more than 70 buffets in the casino city. The perfect place to find great meals in between the action.
• North Carolina – Some may know that Pepsi was initially invented as a health drink to improve digestion, but few may know that this was already in 1867. Caleb Davis Bradham from New Bern, North Carolina was the pharmacist who invented the much-beloved Pepsi-Cola
• Ohio – The first commercially grown tomato is called the Paragon tomato and was developed by Alexander W. Livingston, a world-renowned horticulturist in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in 1870. Therefore Ohio is referred to as the place where tomatoes were birthed.
• South Carolina – In 1685 Charleston was home to the first efforts ever recorded to cultivate rice in the States. Due to this close relationship with rice, the state is still referred to as the Rice State.

Food trucks are part of American culture. They deliver delicious and exciting cuisine, suited for a variety of taste buds and preferences, quickly and on the go. They are a well-known face in the streets, at sporting events and designated spots along the coast. Long gone are the days when they served ice-cream alone. Now they are restaurants on wheels which sometimes become truly creative with their dining options. Here are some of the cities which you have to visit to immerse yourself in a brilliant food truck experience.

Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville is known as the music capital of the USA, the place where visitors go to experience a bit of American music history, see some shows and dining on delicious smoked meat options and other comfort foods. Food trucks are available everywhere in this city, offering a menu as versatile as its musical history. Look out for Steaming Goat Food Truck, Smokin’ Buttz BBQ and The Grilled Cheeserie.

Austin, Texas

One of the States’ best cities to fulfil your dining needs, therefore it is no surprise that Austin is without a doubt also the place to find a brilliant selection of cuisine offered on wheels by the many food trucks all around. Whether you are in need of BBQ meets or donuts, you will find them on the street or in the various food truck parks. Look out for Rainey Street Food Trucks or The Picnic. Here you will find Micklethwait Craft Meats and Jewboy Burgers.

Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland is more than the capital of rock and roll music; it is home to several brilliant roving solutions for your cravings for some Southern Comfort. Here you will find fried goat cheese balls, foie gras and even chunky peanut butter to give you only an idea of the diversity on offer. Look out for Betty’s bomb-ass Burgers, Boca Loca Burrito Factory and Hatfield’s Goode Grub.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the home of hot dogs stacked high with chopped vegetables, the birthplace of the deep-dish pizza and various sweet treats which brings comfort when the Windy City is at her best. Their different food trucks don’t fail to deliver either. Here you will find a variety of comfort choices on the go. Stop by at Chicago Pizza Boss, Beavers Donuts or 5411 Empanadas.

New York, New York

New York might have been slow in some regards like legalizing sports betting, but in most terms, they genuinely are indeed the city that never sleeps, and all of these people need to eat. Therefore their food truck business reflects the same kind of forward-thinking and brilliant cooking, which one will experience in their trendy restaurants. Many restaurants in the city have started initially in the food truck business and then moved on to the restaurant industry. Visitors to the city will be overwhelmed by choices on the go, but make sure that you do stop at least once at Tony Dragon’s Grille, Cinnamon Snail and Luke’s Lobster for some fine dining on wheels.