Nevada's Gems Bonanza Draws Big Betters
Nevada's Gems Bonanza Draws Big Betters The lure of striking it rich is attracting high rollers to Nevada's casinos in droves. The prospect of cashing in on some of the state's famed gems and minerals is proving irresistible for some gamblers. The glittering treasures are on display at several casinos, including Mirage, Bellagio and Wynn. They include a 135-pound amethyst geode, which is worth an estimated $1 million, and a 45-pound topaz crystal nicknamed "The Sun God." "These gems are like finding buried treasure," said Howard Stutz, an industry analyst with the gaming publication Casino City Times. "People see them and start dreaming about what they could do with all that money." Some big betters are shelling out tens of thousands of dollars for a chance to hit the jackpot with one of the rare gems. In February, a woman dropped $75,000 at the Mirage casino on a single spin of a wheel featuring 15 different gems. Casino operators sa