Lewis reveals mum was nearly arrested after bizarre Las Vegas casino drama that inspired ‘Jackpot’ nickname

ADRIAN LEWIS revealed his mum was nearly ARRESTED after he won a $72,000 jackpot in Las Vegas.

The two-time world champion was just 20 when he travelled to Sin City for the Desert Classic and found himself caught up in a bizarre casino drama.

Lewis, 41, had already won several hundred dollars on roulette without being asked for identification before hitting the huge prize on a gaming machine.

But knowing he was underage for gambling in the US, Lewis immediately realised there could be trouble when casino staff arrived to investigate his massive win.

He told oche180: “I was over there [Vegas] for the Desert Classic. I was with a lad called Steve Byrne, an Irish fella who I only knew through darts.

“I'd won five or six hundred dollars on the roulette and never ever once got asked for ID, knowing I was only 20 at the time as well.

“I started playing on this machine, next minute the machine froze. I was thinking, 'what's going on?' because the lines, they weren't in the middle they were diagonal.

“Somebody was walking past, some kind of cleaner and he said, 'you've won the big jackpot' and I'm looking thinking, 'who, me?'

“I knew straight away they were going to ask me for ID so I said, 'quick come here Steve'.

“I said, 'I'll tell you what to do. You claim it and we'll have it after and I'll sort your beer money out'.

“[It was] $72,000. No [I got] nothing at all.

“They started threatening my Mum with arrest.

“I was waiting by the elevators and then I've seen the cashier come over with a few security and then start pointing at me and I'm thinking, 'oh no!'

“It was just all kicking off.”

The incident inspired Lewis’ famous ‘Jackpot’ nickname, which he went on to live up to on the oche by claiming four major titles, including the European Championship and UK Open.

Lewis has been away from the professional game since April 2023 after his wife was diagnosed with an incurable kidney disease, while his daughter has autism and ADHD.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning