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Problem gambler sues casino
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, A gambler who signed a voluntary agreement to keep him from gambling is suing the British Columbia Lottery Corp. because he wagered and won, records show.
Although in 2007 problem gambler Mike Lee of Vancouver Island signed an agreement found in gaming facilities to keep him from gambling for three years, he entered the Chances Cowichan casino in Duncan and won a slot jackpot of $42,500 which was seized, The Province reported Monday.
Once signing the agreement and becoming part of the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, a problem gambler can be asked to leave a gaming facility and fined, and any jackpots won will be withheld and used to fund gambling-related research, the current brochure says.
When Lee signed the agreement, there was no mention of giving up winnings, Weiszner said. The rule was put in place April 1, 2009.
"He never in writing agreed to forfeit winnings," Weiszner said. "He agreed to the terms of the agreement that he signed."
Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman said there are 6,000 people in the self-exclusion program; some problem gamblers try to abuse the system and they "have some responsibility to the voluntary self-exclusion as well as we do."
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, A gambler who signed a voluntary agreement to keep him from gambling is suing the British Columbia Lottery Corp. because he wagered and won, records show.
Although in 2007 problem gambler Mike Lee of Vancouver Island signed an agreement found in gaming facilities to keep him from gambling for three years, he entered the Chances Cowichan casino in Duncan and won a slot jackpot of $42,500 which was seized, The Province reported Monday.
Once signing the agreement and becoming part of the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, a problem gambler can be asked to leave a gaming facility and fined, and any jackpots won will be withheld and used to fund gambling-related research, the current brochure says.
When Lee signed the agreement, there was no mention of giving up winnings, Weiszner said. The rule was put in place April 1, 2009.
"He never in writing agreed to forfeit winnings," Weiszner said. "He agreed to the terms of the agreement that he signed."
Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman said there are 6,000 people in the self-exclusion program; some problem gamblers try to abuse the system and they "have some responsibility to the voluntary self-exclusion as well as we do."
