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Problem gamblers file lawsuit against Detroit's casinos
The Associated Press
11/5/03 3:45 AM
DETROIT (AP) -- Two problem gamblers have filed a lawsuit claiming that Detroit's casinos failed to enforce a state program designed to keep gambling addicts out of their facilities.
The lawsuit comes as the state's "disassociated persons" list has grown from 56 gamblers in 2001 to 508, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which administers the program and is also named in the lawsuit.
Gamblers who sign up for the program and return to the casino face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. As of July, 22 people had been arrested.
Virginia Ormanian, of Wyandotte, and Norma Astourian, of Taylor, asked to be barred from the casinos in 2002, but they couldn't stay away, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.
"On several occasions, plaintiffs won jackpots in such amounts that required casino personnel to obtain their names, addresses, Social Security numbers and date of births," stated the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the women by lawyer Blaise Repasky.
MGM spokeswoman Yvette Monet said the casino believes the lawsuit is without merit. The Michigan Gaming Control Board, meanwhile, also plans to fight the lawsuit and contends that the board has immunity from such lawsuits.
Greektown and MotorCity casinos declined comment.
The women accuse the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity and Greektown casinos of breach of contract. The casinos continued extending credit, cashing checks, offering coupons and marketing their services to problem gamblers, the lawsuit states.
The Associated Press
11/5/03 3:45 AM
DETROIT (AP) -- Two problem gamblers have filed a lawsuit claiming that Detroit's casinos failed to enforce a state program designed to keep gambling addicts out of their facilities.
The lawsuit comes as the state's "disassociated persons" list has grown from 56 gamblers in 2001 to 508, according to the Michigan Gaming Control Board, which administers the program and is also named in the lawsuit.
Gamblers who sign up for the program and return to the casino face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. As of July, 22 people had been arrested.
Virginia Ormanian, of Wyandotte, and Norma Astourian, of Taylor, asked to be barred from the casinos in 2002, but they couldn't stay away, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.
"On several occasions, plaintiffs won jackpots in such amounts that required casino personnel to obtain their names, addresses, Social Security numbers and date of births," stated the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the women by lawyer Blaise Repasky.
MGM spokeswoman Yvette Monet said the casino believes the lawsuit is without merit. The Michigan Gaming Control Board, meanwhile, also plans to fight the lawsuit and contends that the board has immunity from such lawsuits.
Greektown and MotorCity casinos declined comment.
The women accuse the MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity and Greektown casinos of breach of contract. The casinos continued extending credit, cashing checks, offering coupons and marketing their services to problem gamblers, the lawsuit states.
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