Poker participant Scott Robbins is suing the Borgata Atlantic Metropolis after on line casino workers banned him for all times over a joke he made about leaping out of his lodge room window.
Scott Robbins, pictured in 2018 at an occasion at Foxwoods in Connecticut. He claims he has been slandered and had his civil rights violated by the Borgata. (Picture: Foxwoods Poker)
Robbins needs $1.2 million in potential misplaced earnings, arguing that Borgata administration’s alleged overreaction to some off-the-cuff remarks made on the entrance desk violated his civil rights.
In the meantime, the defendants’ subsequent actions and statements had been “an effort to distract from their failings” and slandered Robbins, whereas breaching public belief, the lawsuit claims.
Misfiring Banter
In September 2020, Robbins arrived on the Atlantic Metropolis on line casino to play within the WPT Borgata Poker Open Predominant Occasion. Whereas there, he was capable of win an entry ticket price $3,500 in a $400 satellite tv for pc.
That night, whereas checking into the lodge, Robbins was requested by the desk clerk whether or not he would like a room on a excessive ground or a low ground.
If I needed to leap from a excessive ground window [meaning, in case of fire or earthquake], would I make it?” Robbins jokingly requested, in response to the lawsuit.
When a clerk instructed him not to try this he stated he wouldn’t, however stored asking related questions.
Would I make it if I needed to leap out of a decrease ground?” Robbins requested.
The clerk once more instructed him to not leap. Robbins once more stated he wouldn’t, however stated then “since I wouldn’t survive both, I suppose it doesn’t matter what ground you give me.”
Robbins asserts in his criticism that there was laughter, and the jocular context of the dialog was understood. He was allotted a room on Borgata’s fiftieth ground. The lawsuit notes that the lodge home windows on the Borgata are a number of inches thick and don’t open.
Journey to a Psychiatrist
Shortly after Robbins had unpacked his belongings, on line casino safety arrived at his room to tell him he was a hazard to himself and must go to a hospital to be examined by a psychiatrist earlier than he might return.
Robbins was bemused however complied with the on line casino’s request. The ambulance transported him to Atlanticare Regional Medical Middle. Robbins was later charged $1,157 for the journey.
There, a psychiatrist instantly issued Robbins a psychiatric clearance discover ($865) stating the poker participant neither posed a hazard to himself nor anybody else. Robbins even laughed the incident off with the psychiatrist.
Banned for Life
However when he returned to the Borgata, he discovered he had been “banned for all times” from the premises. Not solely was he barred from collaborating within the match for which he held a $3,500 ticket, but additionally from all future tournaments held on the Borgata.
Robbins says he was a daily on the Borgata poker circuit. Nationwide, he has grossed $417,325 in stay match wins since 2018.
The lawsuit alleges that earlier than the day was out, the defendant had “wantonly and recklessly” made it recognized to others, “together with, however not restricted to, others on the Borgata {and professional} poker circuits, that Mr. Robbins was banned for all times from the Borgata due to a suicide try.”
Because of this, he misplaced company and particular person sponsorships estimated at as much as $200,000, the lawsuit states.
Primarily based upon his earnings from earlier Borgata poker tournaments, along with his yearly earnings share, Robbins believes he might have made an approximate internet quantity of $85,000 per 12 months on the on line casino.
He’s demanding $850,000 for ten misplaced years of theoretical future match play, plus one other $200,000 in punitive and compensatory damages.
