Court Rules Atlantic City Casino Can Collect from Problem Gambler

A New Jersey state appellate court has upheld a ruling that allows Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City to collect a debt from a self-described compulsive gambler. The gambler had taken out a $160,000 loan from the casino, which his bank did not honor due to insufficient funds.

A new Jersey state appellate court has ruled that Harrah’s Atlantic City can seek to collect a $160,000 debt from a gambler who argued he should not have been given credit because he is a compulsive gambler.

According to the Associated Press, the gambler had secured a $160,000 loan from Harrah’s through counter checks drawn on his bank. Harrah’s deposited those checks when he didn’t repay the loan, but the bank didn’t honor them due to insufficient funds.

The appellate court granted Harrah’s a summary judgment for $188,697.31, which included the initial loan, interest and attorney’s fees. The court ruled that the gambler did not provide evidence that Harrah’s was aware he had a gambling problem.