New Zealand Gambler Denied Poker Jackpot At SkyCity Casino

In what is becoming an all too familiar story in the world of casino gambling, a New Zealand man was denied a jackpot at an Auckland casino. The $44,000 jackpot was denied because the man had previously placed himself on a self-exclusion list.

Sothea Sinn was twenty-two years old when he asked SkyCity Casino officials to place him on a self-exclusion list. That was back in 2004. Now twenty-eight, Sinn was playing Caribbean stud poker when he hit the jackpot worth thousands of dollars.

Back in 2004 when Sinn asked the casino to ban himself and his girlfriend, Sinn claims he was gambling too much. The gambler assumed, however, that after six years the ban had expired. The casino claims that Sinn did not meet the requirements to have the ban eliminated.

Among those requirements was a mandatory counseling stint before he would be allowed back in the casino. The casino claims that no such treatment was sought, therefore leaving the ban in effect. When the casino refused to pay the jackpot, Sinn began checking into his options. He now plans to file a lawsuit to collect his money.

Several of these cases have sprung to life around the world in the past year. Casinos in some places have been criticized for not keeping a tighter eye on the self-exclusion lists. The casinos have countered that it would be nearly impossible to keep gamblers out.

Gambling Compliance Director Mike Hill released a statement saying that they are investigating the non-payment. Sinn may have conceded his guilt in not attending the counseling when he told an Internal Affairs worker that he did not want to file a claim.

August 6, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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