Crown Casino being sued $4.6M for failing to recognise problem gambling
Melbourne’s Crown Casino is being sued by a problem gambler for almost $4.6 million.
Ahmed Hasna had asked the casino to ban him after years of gambling abuse. The litigation also claims, Mr Hasna’s mother twice pleaded with the casino to stop him from gambling away “all the family’s money”.
Hasna has accused Crown of acting in an irresponsible manner by luring him back with gifts, holidays, concert tickets and lavish dinners.
Lawyers for Hasna allege the casino invited the problem gambler to its prestigious VIP Mahogany Room after he gambled away AU$100,000 in chips that he had purchased with a cheque that later bounced.
Hasna was also lured to the Melbourne casino with free Phil Collins tickets. While collecting the tickets, he lost AU$30,000 on the roulette tables.
Hasna was banned by the casino in December 2020 after frequenting the venue between 1993-2019 almost every second day.
It is alleged the casino also failed to take heed of security staff warnings. Crown security made “several recommendations” to ban Mr Hasna after a number of abusive outbursts towards the staff.
Hasna filed a suit in the federal Court on Monday alleging Crown should have recognised he had a gambling problem.
Peter Lawrence, head of VIP customer service at Crown told the commission that the actions carried out by the casino were irresponsible and “probably” predatory.
Hasna alleges the casino ignored dangerous gambling signs listed in its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct. He is seeking $4,593,000 in damages, including $200,000 in money lent to him by a friend.
His sister was also forced to sell off her Newport Beach home in NSW to help pay his gambling debts
Mr Hasna’s court claim says that since his ban his mental health and personal relationships have improved, however he may not win his claim as Australia’s High Court ruled in 2013 that “There is no general duty upon a casino to protect gamblers from themselves.”
Crown under fire
The case couldn’t come at a worse time for the casino giant as it faces a loss of licence over its inadequacies and poor management which includes claims of money laundering and links to organised crime in Asia.
An inquiry into Crown NSW found the casino unfit to hold a casino licence.
With regard to its Melbourne licence, attorneys assisting the state inquiry have recommended that Crown Resorts lose its gaming privileges.
Irit Jackson, 12th August 2021
