In gambling, breaking the bank refers to a player winning a substantial amount of money from a casino. The term can be used when a player wins more money than the house has on hand or more chips than are available at the table.
The expression “breaking the bank” originated in Monte Carlo casinos. Each table would start the day with a cash reserve called “the bank.” If a player won more than the reserve, play at that table would be suspended until more funds were brought out from the casino’s vaults. The table would be covered with a black cloth until it could be re-opened for play.
Though the term “breaking the bank” is now often used to describe a big win, it originally described a situation in which a gambler won more money than the casino had at a particular table.
While breaking the bank might sound devastating for a casino, it’s typically a temporary situation. Casinos maintain significant reserves to handle large payouts and have the ability to bring in additional funds to resume operations quickly.
It’s important to note that modern casinos have extensive controls and financial systems to manage payouts, so instances of truly breaking the bank are rare. The house edge inherent in casino games usually ensures that casinos remain profitable over time, despite occasional.
