Iowa court says man can't collect casino winnings

Feb 13, 2010, 8:43 am (29 comments)

Gambling

DES MOINES, Iowa — A man who won more than $9,000 at an Iowa casino can't collect his winnings because he was banned from the casino 10 years earlier, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday.

The court found that Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona "had the authority to withhold winnings from a person who had been involuntary excluded."

The case involved Troy Blackford, who won $9,387 on May 5, 2006. Because of the size of the jackpot, Prairie Meadows had to issue a W-2 immediately for tax purposes. Casino officials then learned that Blackford had been banned in 1996.

According to court documents, Blackford had been issued a "trespass ban" because he hit and damaged a slot machine. The ban, according to Prairie Meadows, was permanent.

Blackford pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and paid a fine. He was found at the casino in March 1998 and was escorted out. He pleaded guilty to trespassing and paid another fine.

When Blackford hit the jackpot in 2006, Prairie Meadows' records indicated that he was still banned. He was escorted to the security office and his winnings were confiscated.

Blackford filed a petition against the casino to recover damages.

A Polk County district court concluded that Prairie Meadows had the authority to confiscate winnings from patrons who are banned.

Blackford appealed. The Iowa Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's ruling and ordered a new trial, saying it found no statutory provision allowing the casino to confiscate Blackford's winnings.

The casino appealed. The Iowa Supreme Court agreed with the lower court.

The ruling makes clear that banned customers should stay away, said attorney Dennis Ogden, who represented the casino.

"It essentially sends a message to people who've been banned from casinos that they aren't going to be able to come in and win any money," he said.

Blackford's attorney, Ryan Beattie, said they were disappointed in the court's ruling.

Thanks to TigerAngel for the tip.

AP

Comments

truecritic's avatartruecritic

I can understand the ruling but it doesn't say if the casino gave him back his money that he had when he walked in?  I don't see where they would have the right to take money from someone that is banned - based on the fact that he can't "come in and win any money."  It would only be correct they can't take any money as well.

OTOH, if he would have won anything less than the amount for a W-2, he could have walked out richer and nobody would have known the difference.

Do the same rules apply in Vegas?  Or elsewhere?

joker831's avatarjoker831

Absolute bull<snip>.  I would burn the place to the ground just out of spite.  Another example of "Casino Law".  Similar thing happened to me in Las Vegas about 6 years ago.  I was playing blackjack at Ceaser's Palace, and because I hit a very lucky streak they accused me of counting cards.  They gave me back what I bought in for - $1200 - but they kept all the money that I won from playing -$11,000.  I was also told by the head of thier security that if they saw me at a blackjack table in there I would be arrested.  I have spent a LOT of money at Ceaser's over the years.  I have also won a lot too, but this just goes to show that casinos do not like people who win big.

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bomberos's avatarbomberos

Quote: Originally posted by joker831 on Feb 13, 2010

Absolute bull<snip>.  I would burn the place to the ground just out of spite.  Another example of "Casino Law".  Similar thing happened to me in Las Vegas about 6 years ago.  I was playing blackjack at Ceaser's Palace, and because I hit a very lucky streak they accused me of counting cards.  They gave me back what I bought in for - $1200 - but they kept all the money that I won from playing -$11,000.  I was also told by the head of thier security that if they saw me at a blackjack table in there I would be arrested.  I have spent a LOT of money at Ceaser's over the years.  I have also won a lot too, but this just goes to show that casinos do not like people who win big.

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I Agree!  Yeah, they love taking it but they hate giving it back. That goes for ALL of them.

tiggs95's avatartiggs95

Quote: Originally posted by joker831 on Feb 13, 2010

Absolute bull<snip>.  I would burn the place to the ground just out of spite.  Another example of "Casino Law".  Similar thing happened to me in Las Vegas about 6 years ago.  I was playing blackjack at Ceaser's Palace, and because I hit a very lucky streak they accused me of counting cards.  They gave me back what I bought in for - $1200 - but they kept all the money that I won from playing -$11,000.  I was also told by the head of thier security that if they saw me at a blackjack table in there I would be arrested.  I have spent a LOT of money at Ceaser's over the years.  I have also won a lot too, but this just goes to show that casinos do not like people who win big.

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I don't go to Casinos and had no idea they had this law?..I guess they can make up any rule they want by the looks of it..I have a cousin who lives in Tucson and we was out there about 20 years ago and it was HOT!!!..

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Rant in 1996 "According to court documents, Blackford had been issued a "trespass ban" because he hit and damaged a slot machine. The ban, according to Prairie Meadows, was permanent.  Blackford pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and paid a fine.

He was found at the casino [again] in March 1998 and was escorted out. He pleaded guilty to trespassing and paid another fine."

Geez, I wouldn't want this rager/damage maker and trespasser on my property either.  How many more times do they need to tell  this obnoxious person to leave?  Why is it that some people 'feel/think' that they have the right to trespass where they have been told (often via official document) that they aren't wanted and welcome?  This man also, possibly, has a drug and gambling problem.  As for returning the money that he spent, how would the cassino be able to easily determine that -- the man would probably lie if asked, since he is willing to break trespass laws on a 3-time basis thus far!  Plus, what was that appeals court judge thinking with?

RJOh's avatarRJOh

Quote: Originally posted by joker831 on Feb 13, 2010

Absolute bull<snip>.  I would burn the place to the ground just out of spite.  Another example of "Casino Law".  Similar thing happened to me in Las Vegas about 6 years ago.  I was playing blackjack at Ceaser's Palace, and because I hit a very lucky streak they accused me of counting cards.  They gave me back what I bought in for - $1200 - but they kept all the money that I won from playing -$11,000.  I was also told by the head of thier security that if they saw me at a blackjack table in there I would be arrested.  I have spent a LOT of money at Ceaser's over the years.  I have also won a lot too, but this just goes to show that casinos do not like people who win big.

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I wonder if states could do the same thing if someone came up with a winning strategy based on their observations of numbers that had come up in previous drawings?  After all what casinos call counting cards is simply watching and noting what's happening in order to develop a strategy for winning.  I guess states could avoid that problem by not allowing players to pick their own numbers and just selling QPs.

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

I don't feel too sorry for him. He knew he was banned from that casino, yet he kept trespassing and going back. If he wants to win and keep his money, he needs to go to a casino that he isn't banned from.

time*treat's avatartime*treat

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on Feb 13, 2010

I wonder if states could do the same thing if someone came up with a winning strategy based on their observations of numbers that had come up in previous drawings?  After all what casinos call counting cards is simply watching and noting what's happening in order to develop a strategy for winning.  I guess states could avoid that problem by not allowing players to pick their own numbers and just selling QPs.

Not in an overt way; more likely they'd publicize how "lucky" you were until the extra unwelcome attention you'd get from the public would cause you to go elsewhere.

duckman's avatarduckman

The casino definition of cheating: "cheaters are those who win too much"

rdgrnr's avatarrdgrnr

Quote: Originally posted by duckman on Feb 13, 2010

The casino definition of cheating: "cheaters are those who win too much"

You're not just unlikely to beat the casinos - you're not allowed to.

sully16's avatarsully16

casinos SUCK. Thats all i got to say.

emilyg's avataremilyg

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Feb 13, 2010

I don't feel too sorry for him. He knew he was banned from that casino, yet he kept trespassing and going back. If he wants to win and keep his money, he needs to go to a casino that he isn't banned from.

Thumbs Up

grave

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on Feb 13, 2010

I don't feel too sorry for him. He knew he was banned from that casino, yet he kept trespassing and going back. If he wants to win and keep his money, he needs to go to a casino that he isn't banned from.

I Agree! +2

luckyshoes's avatarluckyshoes

Gee.... do you think banned   means   come back in when you want?

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