Casino Rama Case Leaves Charges Unchanged as Burlington Man Pursues $3.5M Lawsuit
In December 2022, Daniel Dobson, a 41-year-old man, was arrested at Casino Rama. He is currently pursuing a civil lawsuit against the casino, its parent company Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, the Rama Police Service, and several named officers and guards, seeking $3.5 million in damages.
According to Dobson, the arrest was unprovoked, and he was subjected to excessive force. He alleges that he was tackled, restrained, beaten, and denied timely medical care, resulting in concussions and ongoing injuries to his arm and wrist.
The criminal charges against Dobson—eight counts including assaulting officers, making threats, and resisting arrest—were stayed by Justice A.M. Nichols of the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia on April 7, 2023. The prosecution was halted due to a breach of Dobson’s Charter right to a timely trial after more than two years of delays.
Dobson has maintained from the start that the charges were fabricated. He lodged a complaint against a Rama police constable, alleging abuse during his arrest and transport, but the complaint was dismissed in an internal review. He also retained an independent forensic dentist to challenge the evidence regarding the biting allegations. Police documents accused Dobson of biting both an officer and a security guard during the scuffle, which Dobson rejected.
Dobson describes the ordeal as a "nightmare" with lasting physical and financial consequences. He spent approximately $25,000 preparing to defend himself against charges he insists were baseless. As of the latest information available in August 2025, the lawsuit is active, but there is no public detailed response from Casino Rama, Gateway Casinos, Rama Police Service, or the named officers and guards regarding the lawsuit.
The focus of news coverage is primarily on Dobson’s allegations and the court’s decision to stay the criminal charges, rather than on the defendants’ formal response. Dobson continues to call for accountability and an apology, insisting his goal is not only compensation but also to shed light on what he views as a failure of justice.
