At 69, his final wish comes true at the casino 

At the age of 69, Hans Zandbergen, who is seriously ill, was able to return one last time to his favorite casino in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Thanks to Stichting Ambulance Wens, a foundation dedicated to fulfilling the final wishes of seriously ill people, he revisited a place filled with memories, where he used to spend time with his late wife. 

A final wish filled with memories 

For Hans Zandbergen, the casino in Rotterdam represents much more than a gambling establishment. It is a place deeply connected to his family history and the happy moments he shared with Ellen, his first wife. 

The couple discovered the casino around 33 years ago. What initially began as an occasional outing gradually became a weekly tradition. Hans and Ellen particularly enjoyed playing a gaming machine that Hans affectionately calls his bingo machine. 

However, their life together came to an end when Ellen passed away 21 years ago. Despite her death, Hans continued visiting the casino for a while before turning his attention to other activities. 

Years later, as his health deteriorated significantly, one particular wish resurfaced: to visit this place filled with precious memories one last time. 

His daughter contacts a foundation to make his wish come true 

While receiving palliative care at De Reiziger in Barendrecht, Hans was no longer able to organize such a trip on his own. 

His daughter Chantal, aged 40, decided to take matters into her own hands. She contacted Stichting Ambulance Wens, a foundation that helps seriously ill people fulfill their final wishes. 

The organization responded remarkably quickly. After being contacted on a Friday, it managed to arrange the trip for the following Sunday. 

Hans was transported in an ambulance specially equipped for these journeys, accompanied by his two daughters and their partners. For the family, this outing was a precious opportunity to share more happy moments with him. 

A special welcome at his favorite casino 

From the moment he arrived, emotions ran high. The casino staff had made arrangements to ensure he could easily access his favorite gaming machine. 

In an interview published by the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad and reported by CasinoNieuws, his daughter Chantal recalled: 

“We were truly treated like VIPs. As soon as we arrived, space was cleared so my father could reach his favorite gaming machine.” 

Hans described his excitement, saying that his eyes lit up. He immediately headed towards his beloved bingo machine, the same one that had been part of so many outings with Ellen. He also tried a traditional slot machine, although his preference remained unchanged. 

“I also played a fruit machine for a while, but the bingo machine will always be my favorite,” Hans said. 

For approximately two hours, he was able to reconnect with an activity that had once held a special place in his life. 

An entire day dedicated to his loved ones 

Before heading to the casino, the foundation first took Hans to his home. This allowed him to spend some time with Hanny, his current wife. 

After two hours at the casino, Hans began to feel tired. He and his companions then left in the ambulance. However, the day did not end in the casino’s parking lot. 

The family later gathered at a seafood restaurant by the sea. There, Hans was reunited with his loved ones, including his grandchildren, to continue enjoying these precious moments together. 

No winnings, but a priceless memory 

Hans finished his gambling session breaking even, neither winning nor losing money. There was no extraordinary jackpot or major prize to mark his visit. 

But for the 69-year-old, what mattered most was something entirely different. Looking back on the day, Hans especially cherished the happiness of being surrounded by his family. He described the experience as wonderful, emphasizing that spending time with his loved ones was the most precious part of the day. 

He also wanted to share a message that sums up his approach to these special moments: 

“Enjoy every day and make the most of life together.”