Charles Wells

Charles De Ville Wells was born in England in 1841 and led a colorful life as an inventor, promoter, and con artist. He patented various inventions of dubious merit and raised money from investors for schemes that rarely materialized. By 1891, he had accumulated enough capital—by legitimate or illegitimate means—to attempt a assault on Monte Carlo.

In July 1891, Wells walked into the Casino de Monte-Carlo with £4,000 and proceeded to break the bank 12 times over three days. "Breaking the bank" meant winning all the chips at a table, requiring a ceremonial covering with black cloth. He won over 1 million francs during this extraordinary run.

Wells claimed to have a "system" for beating roulette, but no such system was ever discovered. Whether he found a biased wheel, experienced a statistically unlikely hot streak, or used some unknown method remains debated. He returned in November 1891 and again broke the bank multiple times.

Wells' exploits directly inspired the 1892 song "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo," one of the most famous songs of the Victorian era. The song made Monte Carlo synonymous with high-stakes gambling and helped establish the casino's legendary reputation.

Despite his gambling success, Wells later served time in prison for fraud and died in poverty in 1922. His methods remain mysterious, but his legend endures. Whether genius, cheat, or simply lucky, Charles Wells created one of gambling's most enduring stories.