MGM, Borgata Cleared In Compulsive Gambling LawsuitJudge Rules No Obligation To Stop Problem Gamblers |
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Do casinos have an obligation to stop compulsive gamblers from betting? That was the question a federal judge in New Jersey was recently tasked with answering, who ultimately determined that there is no legal burden on casinos to deny problem gamblers from wagering.
The ruling came after a New Jersey resident, who according to his attorneys had a gambling addiction, sued the Borgata casino and its parent company MGM Resorts. Sam Antar argued that the casino continued sending him gambling offers despite knowing about his issues.
Antar made more than 100,000 wagers totaling $30 million over nine months in 2019, and estimated that he lost “at least in the six figures.”
No Law Against Taking Bets
Despite vast numbers of rules and regulations, U.S. District Court Judge Madeline Cox ruled that New Jersey laws don’t bar casinos from accepting wagers from those who are compulsive gamblers.
Her ruling noted that Garden State gambling law “pervasively regulates the responsibilities of casinos as they relate to compulsive gamblers, but is notably silent on whether casinos or online gambling platforms may induce people who present with compulsive gambling behavior to patronize their businesses.”
Cox also made note of two previous cases in which a compulsive gambler and an intoxicated person also sued casinos in an attempt to recover losses, to no avail. Similar efforts have also been turned aside in other states as well, according to the Associated Press.
Antar is the nephew of Eddie Antar, founder of the Crazy Eddie electronics chain in the 1970s and ‘80s who was convicted of defrauding investors of $74 million and later served almost two years in federal prison.
The state of Nevada has seen a similar lawsuit in recent months. In October, a high-stakes blackjack player sued MGM for $75 million after alleging that his drink was spiked. He claimed someone put the drug ketamine in his cocktail.
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