Working as a gambling analyst in Europe, you meet some times things you never heard of. And being established in Turkey, with its interesting culture and great history, you might learn something, you could never dream of.  And I would like to tell you such a strange story.
It is about the former American Consulate in Istanbul, which was till Kemal Ataturk decided that Ankara should become the capital of the former Ottoman Empire with its then capital Constantinople, now named Istanbul.
After Ankara’s designation as capital of the Turkish Republic in 1923, the functions of the embassy were gradually transferred to Ankara in 1937.

Home to the U.S. mission in Turkey since the late 19th century, the building was originally leased from the Corpi family, which was built and lavishly decorated by a Genoese shipping family. When it was purchased in 1907, it became the first U.S. owned embassy in Europe.

The than Ambassador John G.A. Leishman used his personal funds to buy the property for 28,000 Ottoman gold liras (equivalent to about $2.5 million today) in the assumption that he would be reimbursed when he returned on leave to the U.S. Upon arrival in Washington, he was taken aback to learn that Congress was in no particular mood to compensate him for this "personal expense."

Leishman, who had been very disappointed to discover official reluctance to reimburse his money, he challenged a key rich Congressman and they agreed to play a game of poker. The losing party would pay the bill for the embassy! After drinking some cocktails
the ambassador won the poker game and the then embassy became solidly in the hands of the United States Government. Thanks to the sportive Congressman.

The American Consulate in Istanbul has in the meantime moved to a new, safer, location. The old Consulate, existing of the main building, the Palazzo Corpi, and another historic - like hotel - building, will stay US territory. Besides some guards the premises is empty, but the location can be leased.

Walking thru the ex-US consulate buildings, which his frescos on its walls, you could immediately imagine, that this building could provide great accommodation for a super casino.

On Turkish soil, casinos are not allowed. But what would happen when you lease the location in the centre of Istanbul on US territory?

And above that there is already the precedent of the high stake gambling, poker, event that took place between an US Ambassador and a key US Congressman… Food for lawyers… No, just dreaming…Well you never know… In this location everything may happen.

Interested: please read the following story