The Gambler Who Blew $127 Million

[Mike Gayner]

You guys really don't think the casino has a case to answer where they knowingly exploit someone who is an obvious alcoholic and gambling addict? I'm not saying they're 100% culpable, but they're certainly not free of responsibility either.

 

[oiprocs]

I'm still not convinced that the Natives should get to run such a fucking worthless and despicable business. They make money by encouraging individuals to partake in high risk situations, the majority of whom do not make a lot of money in the first place.

It's filthy and disgusting. You'd think that shit would get shut down by now, that they have plenty of cash to start forming legitimate businesses, to start pouring that cash back into the market from where it came.

Yes, their land was taken away from them, but people have been doing that for years. I don't see casinos for the Israelis, the Palestinians, the Iraqis, etc.

 

[Zebo]

You guys really don't think the casino has a case to answer where they knowingly exploit someone who is an obvious alcoholic and gambling addict? I'm not saying they're 100% culpable, but they're certainly not free of responsibility either.

No. caveat emptor and all that. And it's not like it was one night this happened (which millions have indeed been victim of and they don't have wherewithal to sue like money bags) but over a year+ period. He had time to get sober and stop the bleeding.

 

[SunSamurai]

He deserves to lose all that.

Shame it had to goto a casino though.

 

[Exodist]

Fuck this dude. Why does anyone care? It's not like he blew 127 million in one night...the idiot kept going back time after time. I hope he gets nothing and ends up in the gutter.

QFT!!
There are those of us who struggle in a piss poor economy and this jackass throws away cash like there is no tomorrow.. Fuck Him!

 

[ProfJohn]

This should be an interesting case.

If the former employees testify that he was drunk and gambling then the casino could end up lossing.

Also, this is Vegas and there are cameras every where. I would love to see how much footage they have of this guy and whether they deleted anything that shows him possibly drunk.

 

[ProfJohn]

I hope none of the posters in this thread ever end up with a serious addiction. And if they do I hope they are treated better than they are treating this guy.

Gambling addiction is serious and ruins thousands of lives. When one person starts to gamble away millions of dollars PER day then the casino has an obligation to investigate whether that person has a serious gamble or drinking problem that is contribution to their actions.

 

[grrl]

He's a fucking idiot.

That pretty much sums it up. /thread

 

[Newbian]

I hope none of the posters in this thread ever end up with a serious addiction. And if they do I hope they are treated better than they are treating this guy.

I am addicted to porn so can you help by sending me some?

 

[dartworth]

Dan Mahowny?

 

[RaistlinZ]

This guy pumped $127 million back into the economy. We should be thanking him.

 

[Gibsons]

Fuck this dude. Why does anyone care? It's not like he blew 127 million in one night...the idiot kept going back time after time. I hope he gets nothing and ends up in the gutter.

Exactly, he was sober at some point there, but made the decision to have the first drink and sit down at a table. "I'm down 50 mil, but tonight's my night! I just know it! Three gin and tonics please!"

 

[KLin]

This guy obviously has a gambling addiction. I've lost a fraction of what he lost at casinos, but it almost ruined my life as well.

Some of you commenting in this thread may want to read up on problem gambling before jumping to conclusions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem_gambling

 

[TheWart]

heh, at least he tipped well:

"In 2007, Mr. Watanabe's prodigality became almost as legendary as his gambling. According to court documents, Mr. Watanabe says he regularly handed out to Caesars employees bundles of $100 bills that could total as much as $20,000."

 

[HannibalX]

It's a con. The lawsuit is a cover. This was a money laundering scheme.

Some bad guys pay this guy quadruple what his business is actually worth, he then takes the money to Vegas and "loses" it to a casino, who then ship it back to the original bad guys clean as a whistle. The company owner takes a cut and the casino takes a cut.

 

[Gibsons]

It's a con. The lawsuit is a cover. This was a money laundering scheme.

Some bad guys pay this guy quadruple what his business is actually worth, he then takes the money to Vegas and "loses" it to a casino, who then ship it back to the original bad guys clean as a whistle. The company owner takes a cut and the casino takes a cut.

The casinos, owned by large multimillion dollar cartels, are making kickback payments to coke dealers somewhere?

 

[bas1c]

So basically Mom and Dad built this up and son lost it. Welcome to the billionth time this has happened. Least he didn't drive his corvette under a semi or something. (guy I knew)

Uhhh...no. You didn't read the post. Yes his dad started the company, but it was modest at best. He is the one that built up a modest company to a lucrative business. So he did, in fact, have a major hand in becoming wealthy.

He is still an idiot, though.

 

[CRXican]

Dumb bastard

Several employees say Mr. Watanabe would stay at the tables for up to 24 hours, sometimes losing as much as $5 million in a single binge. He was allowed to play three blackjack hands simultaneously with a $50,000 limit for each hand.

 

[RoloMather]

For that kind of cash, he could have started up a casino.

Then gamble all he wants against himself.

 

[HannibalX]

The casinos, owned by large multimillion dollar cartels, are making kickback payments to coke dealers somewhere?

Could be.

 

[Wheezer]

Sorry, I don't fall for the addiction= disease bullshit.

I smoked for over 25 years and I KNEW the whole time that it was bad for me and what is was doing to my body.

Was I addicted?...sure.
Was it anyone fault but mine?....nope.

I broke that addiction that "disease" in 2 weeks by going cold turkey.

People do it everyday and those that can't are the weak among us and caving to an addiction and letting it ruin your life is just Darwin's way of thinning the herd.

I hope this man...this idiot....does us all a favor and does the right thing and throws himself in front of a gas truck.

fuck him.

 

[jhu]

This guy pumped $127 million back into the economy. We should be thanking him.

Yes, this. Thank you Watanabe-san.

 

[KLin]

Sorry, I don't fall for the addiction= disease bullshit.

I smoked for over 25 years and I KNEW the whole time that it was bad for me and what is was doing to my body.

Was I addicted?...sure.
Was it anyone fault but mine?....nope.

I broke that addiction that "disease" in 2 weeks by going cold turkey.

People do it everyday and those that can't are the weak among us and caving to an addiction and letting it ruin your life is just Darwin's way of thinning the herd.

I hope this man...this idiot....does us all a favor and does the right thing and throws himself in front of a gas truck.

fuck him.

Instead of judging him and hoping he dies, why don't you read up on problem gambling a bit?

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/050523/23patho_2.htm

Another article that describes the physical aspects of a gambling addiction.

 

[Wheezer]

Instead of judging him and hoping he dies, why don't you read up on problem gambling a bit?

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/050523/23patho_2.htm

Another article that describes the physical aspects of a gambling addiction.

because all addition is the same, it is the rush your brain gets from the moment and when someone is addicted they are chasing that rush come hell or high water.

Gambling addiction is no different than coke, cigarettes, food or sex. People choose thier poision and get hooked because they are weak.

Hitting rock bottom is often the only way to break the cycle and not only did this idiot hit rock bottom he is blaming everyone but himself.

 

[Vic]

in a civil suit filed in clark county district court last month, mr. Watanabe, 52 years old, says casino staff routinely plied him with liquor and pain medication as part of a systematic plan to keep him gambling.

lol