Photograph by Images of Money/TaxFix
A US businessman who lost $500,000 (£300,000) while gambling at a Las Vegas casino, is suing the venue for allowing him to gamble while visibly drunk.
Mark Johnston, 52, claims that he should not have to pay his gambling debts to the Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel and Casino because he claims that staff there got him drunk, serving him at least 20 alcoholic drinks during his rather unsuccessful 17-hour gambling spree playing blackjack and pai gow.
He claims to have been so drunk, that he has no recollection of his time at the tables, describing his mental state as a “blackout” drunk to CNN, with one former staff member describing Johnstone as slurring his words, confusing chip colours, and unable to read the cards.
Nevada law states that Casinos are not allowed to let visibly drunk patrons gamble, and Johnston has filed a lawsuit in Clark County state court stating that this is exactly what Downtown Grand had done.
Nevada Gaming Control is reportedly investigating the incident.