Mesquite's Casablanca Casino Must Hand Over Jackpot to Excluded Player, Decides NGCB
In Mesquite, Nevada, the Casablanca Hotel-Casino is ordered to pay out a $2,000 prize from their slot machines to a gambler who was banned from the establishment seven times. Rhon Wilson had been kicked out for not paying for a drink but managed to come back and score multiple jackpots over several months.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) made this ruling on Wednesday after considering the casino's case. The board reasoned that it's unwise for casinos to go after trespassed patrons who have lost money as it would be too time-consuming and impractical.
Previously, Dick Tomasso, security and government affairs Vice President from operating company Mesquite Gaming LLC, argued before the panel that Wilson had an incentive to return to the casino because the Nevada gaming regulatory policy permits him to keep his winnings after being caught three times. Tomasso further stressed the casino's stance by stating, "Your action will have a profound effect on all your licensees in the state of Nevada."
Chairman and Executive Director of NGCB, Kirk Henrick, stated the board's history of ensuring fair payouts for all patrons who win. However, this unwritten policy isn't legally bound. Henrick added, "If [the casino staff] bans an individual, the onus is also on the operator to ensure the individual doesn't come back in."
The only opposing view on the panel was that of retired Las Vegas judge George Assad, who believes that "just because a policy’s been on the books for a number of years doesn’t mean it should be followed." Assad recommended not paying the trespasser and letting the individual bear the responsibility of their action.
The board acknowledged Assad's point but promised to discuss the issue at a regulatory workshop on October 18th.
In summary, Mesquite Gaming's Casablanca Hotel-Casino has been instructed by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to pay out the $2,000 prize they owe to Rhon Wilson, who had been banned from the casino several times but managed to rack up the jackpots. Roger Wilson's return to the casino after being banned twice highlighted the risk of casinos choosing not to enforce their trespassing policies. The board recognized the need for casino personnel to follow through on banning players to prevent such issues. And on the other hand, some members of the board are of the opinion that the casino should not reward "bad behavior".
