Casino Ordered to Pay Jackpot to Banned Player After Ruling

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 10/18/2023

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We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Casino Ordered to Pay Jackpot

It has been reported that the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada has been ordered to pay out a staggering $2,045.18 jackpot to Rhon Wilson, a player who had been previously banned for robbery.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) made the final decision in a 2-1 vote, and it is claimed that this is not open to further review by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Wilson’s win has sparked debate and raised eyebrows in the casino community, especially as it came after he had been banned from the establishment.

According to reports, he allegedly entered the casino seven times without permission due to unpaid drink tabs, and this netted him three jackpot wins over a few months. Each win occurred despite the standing order against him entering the premises.

An Unprecedented Decision

While disputes do often arise over unpaid jackpots, often when there is an issue with a malfunctioning slot machine, decisions are usually made in favor of the gambling establishment rather than the gambler. The NGCB’s recent decision is seen as an unprecedented and controversial one, especially given the circumstances.

The 2-1 decision split the board, with George Assad, a former Las Vegas Municipal Court judge, being the only one to speak out against it. On the other side, Board Chairman Kirk Hendrick and Board member Brittnie Watkins argued the importance of paying out jackpots consistently, even in cases where the winner may have a misdemeanor conviction.

Dick Tomasso, Vice President of Government and Security Affairs for Mesquite Gaming LLC, put forward the casino’s case and presented it to the NGCB. He stressed the implications of the decision for other establishments in the state, suggesting it could lead to more players breaching restraining orders, as the financial gain from a potential jackpot could far outweigh the fines. He said:

Mr. Wilson was continually violating the trespass statute, seven times to be exact. He found it more profitable to pay a small fine and then return to the casino to gamble, knowing that the gaming enforcement policy would allow him to keep his winnings as they did three previous times…

He added that Wilson had broken the law in order to engage in the gaming that netted him the winnings, adding that he basically had to commit a crime to play games at the establishment.

A Bigger Issue

However, the bigger issue for the industry is whether players with a dubious history should be eligible for casino earnings. In light of this controversial win, the Gaming Control Board is set to hold a regulatory workshop in October. The event is expected to focus on the broader question of whether people like Wilson should be allowed to walk away with substantial winnings.

Speaking about the recent events, Assad commented on the state’s rules. He said that the current unwritten policy in the state that guarantees jackpot payouts to anyone might not be the best approach.

Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that while Tomasso was present and spoke out during the meeting, Wilson did not attend the discussion.