Problem Gambler Sues Chances Casino Over $42,500 Un-Paid Jackpot Win

A problem gambler who signed on to a Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program, is taking the Chances casino in British Columbia to court, after they refused to pay him his $42,500 slots jackpot win.
Michael Lee won the impressive amount last January, but had also signed on to the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) run program in 2007, in order to help control his gambling habit.
Although the program clearly states that any individual identified whilst gambling would forfeit any winnings, at least two factors would seem to lend weight to Michael Lee’s court claim.
Firstly, he joined the program in 2007 whereas the aforementioned clause wasn’t even introduced until 2009. As his lawyer, Joshua Weiszner explains:
“He was never notified of the change. They had his address. They could have mailed him some notice of the new rules.”
Secondly, Michael Lee continued to use the casino even after excluding himself, winning amounts of $250 or more on several occasions. What’s more he was still able to collect those small winnings despite having to present his ID to the casino staff at the time.
“If the B.C. Lottery Corporation is going to have a program and allow people who are part of this self-exclusion program to gamble away their money and only provide so-called assistance when they win a jackpot, that doesn’t seem like much assistance at all,” continued Weiszner.
In the second instance, Lee’s case echoes the sentiment of Joy Ross of Langley, who is presently suing the BCLC for the $300,000 she lost at B.C. casinos while on a self-exclusion program herself.
As these two fascinating court cases highlighting lax enforcement in casino protocols get underway, we will endeavour to keep you informed of any developments as they occur.