The gambling world can sometimes produce really off-the-wall stories. Every month there are plenty of cases of individuals going to extreme lengths to pay back debts, or of simply bizarre behavior at casino properties around the globe. It can be entertaining and sometimes sad.
November was no exception, as there was plenty that happened in the casino world.
Here’s a look at some of the most colorful and noteworthy from the month that was.
Selfie Costs Woman $825 Gambling Win
An Australian punter was overjoyed when Prince of Penzance won the Melbourne Cup, winning her $825. She was so delighted that she posted a selfie on Facebook with the caption ’Winner winner chicken dinner!" Unfortunately the selfie cost her all her winnings. The woman, known only as Chantelle, from Perth in Australia, went to collect the money and was told that it had already been picked up. It was then that she discovered that the barcode had been visible in her photo, and had been used in order to collect the money.
Police Dog Attacked With Machete As Cops Bust Gambling Ring
A Toronto police dog is recovering after he was attacked by a man with a machete when officers showed up to a home to investigate an illegal gambling ring. Police officers arrested three Toronto men after officers seized large amounts of cash at two North York homes. When police entered the home a man rushed outside carrying a machete, according to a police report. Officers told him to drop the weapon, but police allege he would not.
Group Organizes On-Campus Poker Tournament With Handguns For Prizes
An Oregon libertarian group has accused the University of Oregon of violating students’ First Amendment rights because the student body refused to sponsor a gun giveaway event at the school. Young Americans for Liberty’s Brandon Clements told KPTV that the libertarian group staged the event to protest a campus policy banning concealed firearms. Three guns were offered as grand prizes to winners of the poker-themed tournament. After UO student government refused to pay for the event, Young Americans for Liberty asked the conservative group Foundation for Individual Rights in Education to step in.
Gambling Grandmas Busted By Police In Florida
A weekly game of Mahjong run by a group of elderly women in Florida was targeted by police for illegal gambling. The game had a daily “loss limit” of just $4. The games at a condominium clubhouse just outside Orlando were then shut down by management. Also suspended were poker and bingo games at the complex. Fortunately for the women, who are in their late 80s, the police apparently decided that the game didn’t violate any state gambling laws because the stakes are so low. It’s not a crime to host a game where the stakes are less than $10. The games are expected to resume.
UK Teen Sentenced For Cyber Attack On I-Gambling Firm
A teen in the UK has been sentenced for a cyber attack on an online gambling site that resulted in an estimated 18,000 pound loss. Max Whitehouse appeared before Nottingham Crown Court and admitted to flooding the site with traffic to the point where it was temporarily inoperable. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the crime, but it was suspended for a year. The judge scolded him by saying that he needs to “get a life” and “get out more.”
Mike Ditka’s Son Ordered To Attend Anger Management Classes After Casino Incident
The son of former NFL head coach Mike Ditka was ordered by a court to attend anger management classes thanks to an altercation with a fellow casino patron in July. The younger Ditka, who shares his father’s name, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after originally being charged with battery. The altercation happened at the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Ill. after a gambler asked Ditka for some money, his attorney reportedly told the court.
Poker Pro Charged In $31M Debt Collection Scheme
New York poker pro Travell Thomas has been charged by the feds for allegedly orchestrating a $31 million fraudulent and coercive debt collection scheme. The 37-year-old, who has nearly $500,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, is accused of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. More than a dozen others were charged. The feds said that roughly $750,000 in cash was paid to Thomas, some of which allegedly went toward gambling expenses, tickets for professional sports games, his wedding reception, jewelry and cosmetic surgery for his wife.
Man Arrested For Slapping Poker Player He Taunted For Having ‘Baby Nuts’
A Florida poker player was arrested after allegedly slapping a fellow poker player at the Gulfstream Park casino in Hallandale. Cemal Egilmez was allegedly taunting the player he ended up slapping, saying to the man that he had “baby nuts.” According to a police report, Egilmez was taunting his opponent at the table when the man being heckled got out of his seat and showed Egilmez and a woman sitting next to Egilmez a $500,000 balance in his bank account from his cellphone. That reportedly sent Egilmez over the edge.
Former NYPD Detective Sentenced For Illegal Poker
A former NYPD detective received three years of probation and community service for running an illegal poker game on Staten Island. Richard Palase, who was a member of law enforcement for 19 years, took a plea deal in February. He was one of 13 people busted for the underground poker games, which also included retired NYPD sergeant Ralph Mastrantonio, who was convicted in April. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 15 to 21 months in prison for Palase. His probation includes eight months of home confinement, in addition to the loss of his career.
Poker Dealer Accused Of Trying To Cheat With Card Up His Sleeve
A poker dealer at the Horseshoe Casino Cleveland has been indicted for allegedly cheating by hiding a card up his sleeve, though he claims that it was an accident. Robert D. Brown, 57, was indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury for the alleged crime that took place during his shift on Sept. 6. Brown was indicted with prosecutors not yet providing a motive for his alleged actions. A local Fox affiliate spoke to Brown, who said that the whole situation is a misunderstanding. “A card accidentally went up my sleeve. I deal poker, I don’t even know how it got there,” he said.
