MGM Resorts Escapes Legal Action Over $25 Million Online Gambling Loss
A fella who squandered a whopping $25m on BetMGM and Borgata online casinos couldn't score a lawsuit win against MGM Resorts. Sam Antar slammed the company for allowing a compulsive gambler like himself to spend such a fortune and offering VIP perks that allegedly encouraged his playing habit.
Not a single court across the nation so far has agreed that casinos should shoulder the responsibility of caring for compulsive gamblers.
In the initial lawsuit filed back in 2020, Judge Roth promptly dismissed the case before Antar had a chance to appeal. Indeed, on Monday, a panel of judges concurred, stating courts nationwide have consistently agreed that casinos aren't there to protect compulsive gamblers. Roth pointed out that casinos enjoy extensive protection from private litigation in New Jersey.
Antar's attorney attempted to argue a point: the role of a VIP host is similar to that of any salesperson, and the host's awareness of the client's gambling issue meant they were selling a harmful product – a notion contradicting the state's laws. But the judges didn't find any misleading communications in the over 1,800 texts exchanged between Antar and his hosts from June 2019 to January 2020 – when his losses soared past $24m on BetMGM and Borgata Online casinos.
In short, the legal system in New Jersey currently doesn't view casinos as liable for the compulsive gambling actions of their patrons, unless those patrons are purposefully victimized. While incentives and VIP perks might coax gambling, casinos in New Jersey won't be held accountable for a patron's voluntary actions, especially when they've been warned about their addiction.
In an effort to combat problem gambling, legislative efforts are underway, but for now, New Jersey's legal framework won't place blame on casinos for gamblers' behavior.
- Despite Sam Antar's lawsuit against MGM Resorts over his compulsive gambling on Borgata and BetMGM casinos, courts nationwide have consistently refused to hold casinos responsible for caring for compulsive gamblers.
- The legal system in New Jersey currently views casinos as not liable for the compulsive gambling actions of their patrons, unless those patrons are purposefully victimized.
- In a similar case, a panel of judges concurred with Judge Roth's dismissal of Antar's lawsuit against MGM Resorts, stating that casinos in New Jersey won't be held accountable for a patron's voluntary actions, especially when they've been warned about their addiction.
- Antar's attorney attempted to argue that VIP hosts, similar to salespeople, were selling a harmful product, but the judges didn't find any misleading communications in the exchanged texts between Antar and his hosts.
- In an attempt to combat problem gambling, legislative efforts are underway in various states, but for now, New Jersey's legal framework won't place blame on casinos for gamblers' behavior.
- The trend of gambling, including casino-and-gambling, sports-betting, lotteries, and casino culture, continues to grow across the nation, with casinos offering incentives and VIP perks to attract and retain customers.
- Responsible gambling education and awareness are essential components of the casino industry, as gamblers, whether in Las Vegas or elsewhere, should be educated about the risks and signs of problem gambling.
- Casino personalities like Antar have brought attention to the issue of compulsive gambling, encouraging more conversations and awareness about responsible gambling practices in the casino and gambling industry.
