Crazy Gambling Stories From September

The gambling world can sometimes produce really off-the-wall stories. Every month there are plenty of cases of individuals going to extreme lengths to pay back debts, or of simply bizarre behavior at casino properties around the globe. It can be entertaining and sometimes sad.

August was no exception, as there was plenty that happened in the casino world.

Here’s a look at some of the most colorful and noteworthy from the month that was.

Ted Forrest Says Mike Matusow Refuses To Pay $1.8 Million Debt

A pair of Poker Hall of Fame nominees have traded barbs over a $1.8 million prop bet gone wrong. Six-time bracelet winner Ted Forrest said that has been a sucker to let Mike Matusow avoiding payment on their weight-loss bet from 2010. Forrest is thinking about suing Matusow over the debt if the latter can’t settle the dispute.

Poker Player Eats Dinner During $1 Million Hand

In the hand, Paul Phua gets his set of tens cracked. His opponent, Lo Shing Fung, who happens to be eating during a nearly $1 million pot, decides to bet all-in for $471,000 into a pot of just $85,000. Lo, whether as a ploy to confuse his opponent or because he is actually having trouble reading his hand, reveals his hand by counting the cards needed for a straight.

Homeless Woman Accused Of Killing Popular World Series Of Poker Dealer ‘Elvis’ Joe

Long-time World Series of Poker dealer Joseph Levine, known as “Elvis Joe,” was killed after a homeless woman shot him with a shotgun at his Las Vegas home, police said. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the 56-year-old Levine died from a gunshot wound to the chest at University Medical Center.

Police Bust Gambling At Kids’ Hot Dog Shop

Police in Hellertown, Pennsylvania have stopped what they said was illegal gambling taking place at Mike’s Kids Doggie Shop. Police seized several illegal video gambling devices, according to WFMZ.com. The owners were charged with a misdemeanor violation and were released on bail.

Angry Man Drives Pickup Truck Into Las Vegas Casino

A man driving a Ford F-150 drove through the front entrance of the Stratosphere Casino-Hotel in Las Vegas. The man entered the valet and then just veered right, crashing through the doors. According to witnesses, the driver appeared “angry.”

Roland de Wolfe Accused Of Cheating In High-Stakes Poker Game

A wealthy Dubai-based investor is suing a casino in London after accusing two poker players of colluding against him at high stakes. According to the Telegraph, an expert witness in the case claims that Iraj Parvizi was cheated by poker players Josh Gould and Roland de Wolfe. Some say the allegations are ridiculous.

Mortician Convicted Of Running Illegal Poker Game

A Staten Island mortician was convicted of running an illegal underground poker game, according to the New York Daily News. Authorities said that the game collected a rake from every hand, just like a casino.

The lawyer for 42-year-old Joseph Fumando said that his client was just a regular player there and did not run the operation. The poker room was called “The Press” because the building was once occupied by a printing business.

Paris’ Most Famous Gambling Club Raided By Police

A more than 100-year-old gambling club in Paris was raided by police over misconduct, including alleged money laundering, according to lepoint.fr. A translation of the report said: “The circle is suspected of clandestine work, breach of trust and money laundering by organized gangs.” A dozen people were arrested.

Delaware Gambler Loses 15-Team Parlay On Last Game, Would’ve Turned $5 Into $100K

A gambler in Delaware ran scorching hot in a NFL parlay until losing the last game. He fell just short of turning $5 into $100,000, ESPN reported. The gambler, whose name wasn’t revealed, picked 14 straight games (against the spread) correctly and just needed the Colts to beat the Eagles by more than a field goal.

The Colts were winning 17-6 at halftime, but ended up losing 30-27.

Would-Be Thief Walks Into Mohegan Sun Poker Room Demanding $100 Million, Police Say

Authorities allege that a New York man walked in the Mohegan Sun poker room and told the poker room manager that he wanted $100 million transferred to his bank account. He reportedly specified that he wanted it in his savings account.

He threatened to have the poker room manager killed if it wasn’t done, police said.

Man Saved By Slot Machine As Police Were About To Arrest Him Over Unpaid Fine

A gambler in Germany just had a slot machine bail him out in a huge way.

According to the Associated Press, authorities said that two police officers were out and about doing routine checks of people hanging out at an arcade in the city of Bochum and stumbled across a slot machine player with an unpaid fine. He was about to be arrested and sent to jail, but the slot machine awarded him a jackpot. He paid the fine and avoided jail.

Casino Giant Sues Clinton Portis Over $10,000 Gambling Debt

Former NFL running back Clinton Portis is facing a lawsuit from Nevada casino giant MGM over a $10,000 gambling debt, thelegalblitz.com reported.

MGM wants the $10,000, plus another $1,000 in damages and attorney fees. Courthouse News Service reported that MGM is claiming Portis received two “negotiable credit instruments known as markers,” worth [roughly] $10,000, on Jan. 31, 2011. MGM said it sent a request by mail on Mar. 26, 2011 to collect on its debt, but Portis still hasn’t paid since then.

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