Rio prevails in lawsuit filed by disgruntled gambler

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

A Los Angeles high-rolling alcoholic has failed in his lawsuit accusing the Rio hotel-casino in Las Vegas of using sex and liquor to entice him to gamble until he lost all $1.035 million of his inheritance and insurance proceeds at blackjack.

The Rio is owned by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas.

Harry A. (Hank) Braverman, who alleged the Rio violated Nevada gaming regulations when it plied him with prostitutes and free alcoholic beverages to keep him drunk and gambling, sued the Rio under theories of fraudulent inducement, negligent violation of statutory duty, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy. The Rio had denied his allegatins.

U.S. District Judge Lloyd George ruled in favor of the Rio Monday, writing: "The court cannot conclude that offering inducements such as room and food to a casino patron, with the intent to induce that patron to gamble, is conduct intolerable in a civilized society."

"From the outset, Nevada's judiciary has decided to withold, rather than lend, the authority of the courts to gambling, manifesting its opinion that the courts are not an appropriate forum to resolve disputes or enforce obligations arising from gambling transactions," George said.

"In light of the Legislature's expressed policy against permitting a defense based on a mental or behavioral disorder involving gambling, the court finds that Nevada would not recognize a contract claim based on a theory that, due to intoxication, Braverman was unable to control his gambling each time he entered into a wager with the Rio," he said.