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Topics: World News
Anish Vij
A gambler has been awarded $320,000 after a Sydney casino refused to pay his jackpot.
David Joe, who has motor neurone disease, won $285,000 at The Star casino on October 25, 2019. The Platinum Vantage VIP member used the help of his friend, Lois Lie, to operate the pokies.
They put $10 into the Year of The Tiger machine and ended up winning the jackpot.
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When the pair tried to collect Joe's winnings, the casino allegedly said that because Lie signed a voluntary exclusion order in October 2016, he was apparently banned from the Casino.
The Star then opted to withhold the winnings.
However, Judge Robert Montgomery found that the money belonged to Joe because he told Lie which buttons to press.
It was also claimed that Joe was unaware that his friend was banned because he continued to visit the casino without being stopped, Lie told the court.
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It was then concluded that The Star was to pay the $285,000 jackpot plus, alongside $35,000 in interest.
Judge Robert Montgomery said: "In the context of their playing machines for several hours, (Mr Joe's) truly significant disability, plainly deprived him of the ability to operate the machines himself for enjoyment.
“The whole of the economic stake wagered during the operation of gaming machines by Mr Lie, whilst (Joe’s) card was inserted and he watched and gave Mr Lie directions, was (Joe’s) money.
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“Accordingly, (The Star’s) failure to pay the winnings to (Joe) ... was misconceived and breached the contract of wager between the plaintiff and the defendant.”
UNILAD has contacted The Star for comment.
The Star Entertainment owns and operates the Treasury Casino & Hotel, The Star Gold Coast and The Star, Sydney.
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The company holds two out of Queensland's four casino operation licenses.
Formally known as Echo Entertainment, the group also manages the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre on behalf of the Queensland Government.
The group recently blamed its $198.6m loss largely on Covid closures at casinos.
Australia’s second-biggest casino operator said the loss was 'due to regulatory and other uncertainties'.
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Its interim chairman, Ben Heap, said: “Covid-19 related disruptions and regulatory reviews have presented significant challenges.”
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