Gamblers suing casinos in Canada...for allowing them to gamble!! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

transplant99 · 06-11-2008, 02:03 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080611/...a_gamblers_col

HelloHockeyFans · 06-11-2008, 02:06 PM

I have a friend from Ottawa who banned himself from the Casino du Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, QC but was still able to get in after the fact. I guess they don't use facial recognition technology...

4X4 · 06-11-2008, 02:08 PM

Next thing you know, smokers will be suing tobacco companies.

Bobblehead · 06-11-2008, 02:11 PM

I think the lawsuit is bogus, but how the heck is the program the gamblers signed up for supposed to work? The casino is supposed to look through books with thousands of pictures to see if they recognize people? Everyone entering the casino needs to scan their ID (holy privacy issues)?

It is good that they have tried to set up a program. It is bad that the program is ineffective. It is crazy that they could be sued for it.

The people who signed up agreed that they could be charged with trespassing. I wonder what the agreement from the casino's side said? What responsibility did the casino's agree to? That is what this will come down to.

Ford Prefect · 06-11-2008, 02:24 PM

This is represents one of my biggest peeves with people. Too many people just won't take responsibility for their own actions. it's pathetic. That was one of my dad's fundamental demands ... that I take ownership of my own actions, especially my mistakes. People who won't do this need a kick in the bag.

Boblobla · 06-11-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

This is represents one of my biggest peeves with people. Too many people just won't take responsibility for their own actions. it's pathetic. That was one of my dad's fundamental demands ... that I take ownership of my own actions, especially my mistakes. People who won't do this need a kick in the bag.

ROFLMAO, what an awesome sentiment. I couldn't agree more.

Locke · 06-11-2008, 02:44 PM

Pfft, this is perfectly reasonable.

I for one am fully aware that all of my problems are someone's else's fault.

ken0042 · 06-11-2008, 02:44 PM

When I was in university I worked at a hotel/bar and one of my jobs was VLT cashier. It was quite the eye opening experience to see gambling addictions first hand.

One Saturday morning a lady was getting impatient waiting for the machines to turn on. (In Manitoba they are activated by WCLC, not the bar.) She kept coming up for $20 worth of loonies time and time again. Then the last time she came up to me she was crying. Apparently her husband had almost divorced her over her gambling; and today was the first time in 6 months that she had been allowed to carry money. Her hubby gave her $200 to go buy groceries, and she blew it all.

She asked if there was anything I could do for her, and she flipped when I handed her a "Gamblers Anonomous" flyer and said "sorry, all I can do is suggest you call these guys." She absolutely flipped on me, saying that I should have stopped her after $40.

I really feel sorry for people who have serious addictions to things that I consider recreations. (Gambling, alcohol, porn, etc.) But at some point you need to take resposibility for your own actions.

Boblobla · 06-11-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I really feel sorry for people who have serious addictions to things that I consider recreations. (Gambling, alcohol, porn, etc.) But at some point you need to take resposibility for your own actions.

What constitutes a porn addict? I suppose I use porn recreationally.

CaptainCrunch · 06-11-2008, 02:51 PM

As someone who has a family member who's a addicted gambler its unbelievable how far they'll go to satisfy their need to gamble, and how deep they'll go. This family member gambled away her entire retirement fund in about 6 months which was a significant amount of money, and she didn't tell anyone until she had driven herself into debt. As far as how far these gamblers will go, its likely that even if they were tossed out of the casinos they would have ended up at some corner dive popping coins into VLT's. They're looking for the simple solution to a complex problem, but nobody is going to keep themselves out of the casinos no matter what document they sign unless they're will to avoid these casinos.

CaptainCrunch · 06-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What constitutes a porn addict? I suppose I use porn recreationally.

Its a scientific device called the chaffometer, if that puppy turns bright red and falls off, your a porn addict.

Sled · 06-11-2008, 02:52 PM

So what's next?

"Sorry sir, you will have to leave this restaurant as you are too obese!"

"Sorry sir, you may not buy this book as it is over your education level. Porn mags are to your right!"

"Sorry sir, your attractiveness is too low. You must never leave your house."

When did being accountable for your actions go out of style.

It is almost like this was the plan all along. Let's see if the government will create a program to stop us from gambling. Then when we sign up we will flood the casinos and lose lots of money on purpose so that we can then turn around and sue the government for not following up on thier promise. Talk about going against the odds and try to win.

Sounds like the actions of a degenerate gambler to me.

Boblobla · 06-11-2008, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sled

"Sorry sir, your attractiveness is too low. You must never leave your house."

Best idea yet.

Ford Prefect · 06-11-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boblobla

What constitutes a porn addict? I suppose I use porn recreationally.

How's your eyesight? I was told that was the first thing affected. Not that I know personally or anything.

Boblobla · 06-11-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

How's your eyesight? I was told that was the first thing affected. Not that I know personally or anything.

I just got glasses.

But our kittens are still alive and kicking...

octothorp · 06-11-2008, 03:17 PM

So a group of people who are trying to recover from an addiction to the promise of a big financial payoff are suing casinos, in the hopes of getting a big financial payoff? Wow, you've really come a long way, baby. Bravo, problem gamblers of Ontario. Way to take responsibility for your actions. Way to realize that trying to beat the system for your own financial gain is essentially a hollow and futile pursuit. At least there are a lot of creative and frivolous lawsuits you can come up with to fill your new hobby. Take this court case for example: If the judge doesn't throw it out right away, you can come back and sue him for enabling your addictions.

Now honestly, I feel bad for making light of what's a serious condition. But there are so many gambling addicts out there who are going about things the right way: putting in difficult, soul-searching work, taking responsibility for their actions, realizing that ultimately their success or failure -- both in regards to kicking their addiction as well as in the rest of their life -- lies in their own hands and their own hard work. And I have tremendous respect for the people with the courage to go through that hard work. But this lawsuit is ridiculous.

4X4 · 06-11-2008, 03:23 PM

Once again, octothorp hits the nail on the head. Well said.

bradster57 · 06-11-2008, 03:45 PM

I usually get into an argument when the subject of addiction comes up, for gambling or drinking or whatever. Most people seem to think addiction is a disease (and therefore put the blame elsewhere) but I've always kind of thought people should be responsible for their own actions.

ken0042 · 06-11-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradster57

I usually get into an argument when the subject of addiction comes up, for gambling or drinking or whatever. Most people seem to think addiction is a disease (and therefore put the blame elsewhere) but I've always kind of thought people should be responsible for their own actions.

I have to agree but also disagree with you on that.

Many addictions are like a disease. But not like MS or cancer. More like a venereal disease. You do feel a little sorry for them and know they need treatment, but you also don't want them near you as their condition is sorta their own fault in the end.

CaptainCrunch · 06-11-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradster57

I usually get into an argument when the subject of addiction comes up, for gambling or drinking or whatever. Most people seem to think addiction is a disease (and therefore put the blame elsewhere) but I've always kind of thought people should be responsible for their own actions.

I agree the decision to start using, or gambling or drinking or whatever gets you going, especially with drugs and gambling is your decision and yours alone. However where my sympathy comes to play is once that habit has a grip on you, its owns you. Getting a meth addict off, or a Heroin addict off is about more then just saying that its your fault and you need to stop, same with gambling, once those endorphines start firing its a physical need.

So saying that you need to take personal responsibility may be true, but its a lot harder then that.

What I do have problems with is enabling agents, thats why I do have trouble with injection sites where they don't set limits on use, or family members that give these people money or shelter.

Sometimes you have to let an addict fall all the way down before you let them get up.