A poker player by the name of Scott Robbins is suing the Borgata over a suicide joke which resulted in a trip to the psychiatrist, and the casino subsequently banning him for life. The poker pro from Massachusetts is accusing the Borgata of a list of civil violations, and is seeking over $1.2 million in damages from the casino.
Case Background
The incident took place in September 2020 when Robbins was at the Borgata to take part in the $3,500 buy-in World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Main Event. He won a seat into the tournament via a $400 satellite. The lawsuit describes in detail the events leading to Robbins’ eventual lifetime ban from the casino.
While checking into the hotel, Borgata staff asked Robbins if he’d prefer a high floor or a low floor. He responded by making a quip about jumping out of the window (referring to emergency situations like fire or earthquake), to which the desk clerk replied, “No, don’t do that”.
Hospital Trip
Robbins was then given a key to a room on the 30^th floor, but unbeknownst to him, the staff took his joke seriously and immediately contacted security to assist the poker player out of the establishment. While he was in his room watching TV, armed security came to tell Robbins he needed to be taken to the psychiatrist for psychological examination; otherwise he would not be allowed to stay in the hotel.
The poker pro was forced to take an ambulance ride to a nearby hospital where he underwent mental assessment. He passed the psychological evaluation, with the psychiatrist concluding that he wasn’t a threat to himself or to anybody.
Scott Robbins returned to the hotel, but despite being granted the medical clearance, Borgata declined to accommodate Robbins and proceeded to issue a lifetime ban against him. His belongings were already taken out of the hotel, and so he had to look for another place to stay for the night.
Damages Could Go As High As $3M
As a result of the lifetime ban, Robbins lost his seat to the $3,500 WPT Borgata Main Event and was also billed for the hospital trip, which cost him over $2,000. In addition to that, he was barred from participating in any other future tournaments at the casino.
The lawsuit also alleges that the Borgata made public Robbins’ lifetime ban due to a “suicide attempt”. Because of this, Robbins allegedly lost corporate and individual sponsorships with an estimated worth of $200,000.
The complaint also claims that the poker pro lost the opportunity to accumulate $85,000 in approximate winnings per year at the casino due to the lifetime ban. In relation to this, Robbins demands for $850,000 as payment from the casino, equivalent to 10 years of lost profits.
That figure may seem improbable considering Robbins’ record in tournaments with buy-ins of more than $2,500 (he only made the money in two events within that price point). However, the American poker pro has already won $417,325 in live tournament cashes within just three years, based on his Hendon Mob profile, though none of those wins took place at the Borgata.
Robbins holds a WSOP Circuit gold ring, which he won in the $250 Seniors Event at the 2019 WSOPC Foxwoods.
The lawsuit lists more than two dozen offenses that the casino allegedly committed, including breach of contract, libel and defamation, breach of duty of public accommodation, interference with prospective economic advantage, violation of civil rights under New Jersey law, false imprisonment, and failure to exercise reasonable care.
Robbins is seeking $1,253,368.75 from the casino, but if all potential damages are taken into account, the Borgata could be on the hook for over $3 million.
The complaint was filed on June 15 in a superior court in New Jersey. It will now be heard at the federal court, following a successful request from the Borgata corporate counsel.