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Whale’s defense vs. Harrah’s gains traction
Charges that company plied gambler with drugs will be investigated
STEVE MARCUS / LAS VEGAS SUN file
Terrance K. Watanabe, right, claims to have lost $112 million at Harrah’s casinos in 2007. He alleges the company encouraged him to gamble while intoxicated.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
- New attorneys assist in Harrah's probe of high roller's intoxication claims (7-25-2009)
- High-roller fights law regarding collection of gambling debts (7-17-2009)
- Grand jury indicts high roller in $14.7M casino debt case (4-29-2009)
- High roller posts $1.5 million bail to avoid jail stay (2-18-2009)
- Philanthropist allegedly owes $14.7 million to Rio, Caesars (2-4-2009)
- Feds press probe of ex-Fry’s executive (2-2-2009)
- Casino profile details luxurious lifestyle of former Fry’s executive (1-14-2009)
- Feds looking into high roller’s debt payments (12-31-2008)
Gaming regulators are finally starting to acknowledge the seriousness of a Nebraska high roller’s allegations against Harrah’s Entertainment.
Philanthropist Terrance K. Watanabe gambled away tens of millions of dollars at Harrah’s casinos in 2007. This year Harrah’s asked the Clark County district attorney’s office to file criminal charges against the 52-year-old for allegedly failing to repay $14.7 million in markers at two of the corporation’s casinos, Caesars Palace and the Rio.
In his defense, the 52-year-old Watanabe accused Harrah’s of supplying him with alcohol and prescription painkillers to keep him intoxicated at the tables as his losses mounted.
If this is true, not only is it contrary to the responsible gambling standards Harrah’s has set for itself, but it’s also against the law. Gaming regulations prohibit casinos from allowing “visibly intoxicated” players to continue to gamble. And illegal trafficking of prescription narcotics is drug dealing no matter where it happens.
Watanabe’s potentially explosive allegations got the attention of Harrah’s because, as the Sun reported July 25, the casino giant has brought in a national law firm to help it conduct an internal investigation.
And, after regulators downplayed the case for three months, Dennis Neilander, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, last week said the board’s Corporate Securities Division is “monitoring” the budding scandal and is “making inquiries.”
But beyond the prospect of regulatory sanctions, Harrah’s has something else to worry about — its credibility as an opponent of irresponsible gambling.
The company devotes an entire section on its Web site to its accomplishments in advocating responsible gambling. In a public service video linked to the Web site, Harrah’s CEO Gary Loveman reminds casino patrons that “there are a lot of times when you shouldn’t gamble — like if you’re under 21 or you’ve had too much to drink.”
That certainly is the kind of advice Watanabe could have used. Did anyone from Harrah’s give him that advice while he was, as he says, losing a total of $112 million at Harrah’s casinos in 2007? That would have made him one of the most prolific gamblers of all time in Las Vegas and a cash cow for the world’s largest casino company.
Did Harrah’s set aside its role as a leader of responsible gambling, failing to apply a standard to a man who claims to have been its biggest gambler?
It’s a question that puts Harrah’s “in a horrible position,” says Robert Langford, a criminal defense lawyer who has fought the casinos and the district attorney’s office in other gambling marker cases. With the allegation hanging out there for all this time, Harrah’s “definitely has an image problem,” Langford says.
The company’s credibility has suffered in the eyes of the district attorney’s office. Chances are the office would not have filed criminal charges against Watanabe had Harrah’s informed prosecutors beforehand that these allegations might come back to bite them.
Watanabe’s lawyers are poised to unload on the casino giant in court in their bid to get the criminal charges dismissed, and word within the district attorney’s office is that it doesn’t plan to take the fall for Harrah’s. Prosecutors plan to look into the allegations themselves.
If that isn’t enough, Watanabe has hired one of the country’s most well-known crisis management firms, Sitrick and Company, to turn up the heat on Harrah’s. The Los Angeles-based firm, which has a long list of high-profile clients, including the estate of Michael Jackson, has extensive national media contacts.
With further embarrassment on the horizon, Harrah’s may have to start acting more responsibly in this case.
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Allegations like this have always been the purview of the Gaming Control Board and Commission. If any of this is true, this will be a huge criticism for all of Las Vegas and Nevada! We do not need this kind of reputation. The persons responsible at Harrah's must be terminated and not be allowed to work in Gaming in Nevada again. Perhaps prison time too...why should they be allowed to put this industry and all of its jobs in jeapordy. Appropriate terminations and suspensions of the work privilege should not stop at mid level executives in Harrah's...it must go all the way to the executive offices of Caesar's and the Rio. Shame on the Gaming Control Board for downplaying this for three months or more; and how silly for Harrah's to go after a player for $14 Milion when he had just lost over $112 Million in one year. Very shortsighted as all of this could have been prevented. Another example of high paid, inexperienced management. All of our competitors throughout the world will play this one up to their own advantage. Wow!
Let's see now; a working stiff is fed alcohol until his paycheck is gone, then he is tossed out into the street. A rich guy gets free booze (pills and broads too?) but he just signs a marker and keeps playing.
But if the rich guy doesn't pay up he goes to debtor's prison. But he can get out of it by paying a 10% bribe (Oh sorry, I should say "fee") to the District Attorney.
Oh Joy! At last, some social justice for the common man in Nevada. Just never mind the corrosive effect that criminalization of private debt has on democracy.
This guy is pathetic. He redefines the meaning of the word loser and takes it to a new level.
I suppose when you inherit a bunch of money from Daddy then its OK to blow over one hundred million dollars on gambling and then blame someone else for your actions.
What is this world coming to? Step up to the plate, be a man, and take responsibility for your actions. The money is already gone, you're not getting it back dum-dum.
Where did you read about Terrance Watanabe getting his gambling money from his rich parents? From what I have read, his wealth is derived from "the sale of the Omaha-based Oriental Trading Co., a wholesale novelty importer he ran from 1977 until 2000". Plus with his big bankroll, he gambled and won big at Harrah's the year before his gambling luck ran out.
Anyway, the guy for sure has a gambling problem. But Harrah's shows what an amateur it is in gaming by allowing its single largest gambler to lose that much money and take out so many markers/loans without someone higher in the corporate food chain to look in on it and make sure everything is kosher. Sure the whales may not care about losing a few millions, but after $10 million should be more than enough to get the attention of a team from corporate. To have one individual lose $112 million in 2007 just at Harrah's alone, and the alleged induced intoxication and failing to stop their gambling while intoxicated or under the influence is just idiotic.
Plus if Watanabe was intoxicated and not in his right mind (aka legally incompetent to enter into any contract) when he signed for those markers, I wonder if the markers he signed for can even stand up in court.
Whatever happens, I hope better procedures will be established (i.e., verifying someone is competent and mentally sound enough to enter into a contract when requesting a marker or to continue gambling) and additional trainings for all staff in gaming. And maybe even institute a mutually agreed upon "maximum loss threshold" for each whale per visit.
Another thing, Harrah's and CEO Loveman better reimburse Nevada for all of its court expenses related to this case, since the taxpayers should not be stuck with the bill for the downright stupidity of Harrah's and some of its staff.
The DA should also exercise more prudence in the future when deciding which potentially high profile case to take on. I am sure the original vision of prosecuting a big case and gaining favorable political street creds has turned out thus far to be anything but what was expected.
The markers were short term notes because the casinos agreed to hold on to them for 90 days. So, as a matter of law, they were not checks and the D.A.'s office should never have been involved.
But besides that, these other allegations of plying the man with drugs and alcohol, further bloody the hands of Harrah's and the D.A.'s office.
Thier would actually be more jobs if Harrahs could be broken up, They have been know to cheat customers on rigged machines and many people stay away from this giant who cares nothing about patron. Thier is dozens of cases of security beating up gamblers and patrons because they can, they pay off judges to get thier lawsuits agaisnt them dismissed. That is how they operate.
I like to hear what kinda BS Jan Jones would spew about this. She makes me sick everytime she opens her mouth.
Looks like this Whale is really a GUPPIE.I'm sure this guy doesn't have a GAMBLING PROBLEM,he looks too innocent....really !! The 14 million marker was allowed "only" because of the money already lost.Frankly I'd be a bit nervous of anyone owing me over 14 million and allowing him to continue...that's a no brainer for me.Guess Casinos don't see it that way.
I'm interested in the credit aspect of this. An earlier article brought to light some really intersting things.
In a previous article, it was said that a handbook put out by the district attorney's own bad-check unit even states that the unit can't prosecute cases where checks are predated or postdated or "where an agreement was made to hold the check for later payment." That changes the case from a "bad check" case to a "loan" which can't be prosecuted by the DA.
I'm very surprised more emphasis is not placed on that fact because if that's true, casino credit as we've known it for many years will be turned in it's ear!
That is how it's being done. You verify account balances, run credit checks, and when you decide to extend a line of credit, you obtain a check for the amount the client wants to borrow. The check is not usually post dated, but it is held with the understanding that it will be deposited in 30 days if the marker has not been repaid.
you gotta have large amounts of money to lose it. if terrence wassabi NOW wants to cry about it he should never have gambled his millions away. no sympathy here. i hope he goes up the river.
We'll be in L.V. this weekend. My wife and I will probably each put a $20 bill in a slot machine, try our luck and win a little, or spend 40 bucks on the entertainment. We know our limits. If we win, we may play more the next day, we may not. We'll be staying at a Harrah's casino. If you have to borrow from the casino to continue gambling, you're in over your head. Watanabe is truly a loser's loser!
I heard a pit boss tell a cocktail waitress "See that gentleman with all the chips? He's drinking Crown Royal, make sure he gets plenty of it."
I am glad to see Mr.W put up a fight. I totally believe Harrahs let him gamble drunk/high and loose all that money.
They have been know to cheat customers on rigged machines....
**************
LOLOLOLOL So you're one of those that believes the Casino has control over the slot machines!!!
or spend 40 bucks on the entertainment....
******
$40 on entertainment. What exactly does that include? Drinks? A buffet? Two Diet Cokes and popcorn and then sitting in Carnival Court people watching? I hope at least you are paying for the hotel!
Regardless....thank you for, ehh, helping our economy.....
I know the money I bring to the Casinos nightly more than likely will be lost. But when my allotment is done...it's done (until tomorrow night) and then I start over again.I come knowing I have X amount of dollars to basically throw away and thats fine with me...but I know thats all there is.I can see how easy it is to loss that grip and run wild and way over your head...but the "choice" is yours...no one is putting a gun to your head.As for your drinking issues...well thats your choice again.
My guess is that he still has more wealth than 99 pct. of us. They made this money peddling asian sweatshop crap. Why should Harrahs have any more regard for him than he for his factory workers? He should quit cryin & settle his debts.
First Harrahs Thumbs its Giant God Like Nose at the City for Illegal Expansions. Then Harrahs jumps in bed with Pure Management Group due to the Greed of Caesars Pres Gary Selesner and they get hit by the IRS. Then Harrahs kicks out all black patrons and faces a lawsuit from OPM Nightclub over it. And Harrahs gets popped for Hookers at the Pool! Now this?? This city kicked out the mob. They need to kick out Harrahs!
The gaming board gets 36 million a year, what cases have they ever brought agaisnt a casino except for underage drinking and the big one agaisnt Planet Hollywood, in that case it should be a police matter, but what is happening around city is giving everyone power to arrest and fine thier fellow citizen. It is pretty clear the gaming board is just another arm of the Prison Planet that is locking down the public.
And all of this makes great material for a block-buster television 2-hour special.......
Now which of them will be smart enough to sell the rights for at least $20,000,000 and make a profit on the deal!
Got a whale of a tale to tell ya guys...........
I'm having a hard time understanding how some of you feel that it is okay for the casino to get the guy high as a kite on dope and booze and steal him blind.
That would be in addition to the issue of granting him credit and calling it a bad check. That is B.S.
Not to mention that theoretically, any fool could see he had a gambling problem but yet encouraged him to continue.
Of course, I'm not that versed in Nevada State Law so maybe that is legal. Immoral at any rate.
I guess robbing the whales is where the big bucks are at.
Mr. Wattanabe did take over his fathers faltering carnival supply business and turned it into one of the largest mail order companies in the world. The fortunes he made were on his own, not his fathers.
As for self control Mr. Watanabe has issues with many addictions; gambling, alcohol, drugs.
Mr Watanabe does have some responsibility in this matter. I am sure that agents of Caesars would not have just offered him prescription drugs just for the heck of it. I am sure that their was a need and it was mentioned.
I am sure that many of the lower level Caesars employees and supervisors turned a blind eye to the escapade of Mr. Watanabe. Most likely because they feared it would cost them their job if they said anything. I am sure that a player playing at the level of Mr. Watanabe the Executives knew what was going on. I am sure surveillance had reports sent to the executive team. I would find it hard to believe that the executives would say they knew nothing about Mr. Watanabe being constantly drunk falling asleep at the tables waking up to sign more markers.
This is where I think Nevada should step in and start proceedings against Harrah's. Harrah's in this matter alone tarnished the industry and the state of Nevada. Harrah's should lose it's license to operate in the State of Nevada. If you get a chance and take a look at Regulation 5 in the Nevada Gaming Statues. In 5.011 Harrah's broke #1, #2, #3, #10. Harrah's failed to report it's own violations as stated in 5.055.
There have been many gaming establishments that have been closed for less serious violations since 1931. I feel that the actions or the lack of actions by the executives at Caesars Palace should be considered egregious enough to warrant such a move by the regulators of the industry.
To illuminate lvcomments above assertion:
5.011 Grounds for disciplinary action. The board and the commission deem any activity on
the part of any licensee, his agents or employees, that is inimical to the public health, safety,
morals, good order and general welfare of the people of the State of Nevada, or that would reflect
or tend to reflect discredit upon the State of Nevada or the gaming industry, to be an unsuitable
method of operation and shall be grounds for disciplinary action by the board and the commission
in accordance with the Nevada Gaming Control Act and the regulations of the board and the
commission. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following acts or omissions may
be determined to be unsuitable methods of operation:
1. Failure to exercise discretion and sound judgment to prevent incidents which might reflect
on the repute of the State of Nevada and act as a detriment to the development of the industry.
2. Permitting persons who are visibly intoxicated to participate in gaming activity.
3. Complimentary service of intoxicating beverages in the casino area to persons who are
visibly intoxicated.
10. Failure to conduct gaming operations in accordance with proper standards of custom,
decorum and decency, or permit any type of conduct in the gaming establishment which reflects
or tends to reflect on the repute of the State of Nevada and act as a detriment to the gaming
industry.
Katie, the 40 bucks is what we MIGHT gamble. Doesn't include shows, dining, etc. We are paying for the room. Great rates now! We will eat Toby Keith's one night, the rest of the time we will eat at some of our favorite non-tourist Las Vegas restaurants (Lindo Mochigoan on D.I., Memphis BBQ, Siena, etc.). In other words, we'll be spending plenty of money, we just choose to limit our gambling. No doubt your local western stores will get some California $$ too. We will leave many hundreds of dollers behind, just not in the slot machines. You didn't honestly think 40 bucks was my entire budget did you? And people watching....You gotta be kidding? We do have high dollar front row tickets to see Charlie Daniels on Saturday night!
I've been playing Harrah's properties for over 20 years. I admit I'm a boozer with a large capacity for it . Late at night while playing craps the drinks they serve you are so strong I've had to ask for a bottle of water to dilute them. It's corporate policy plain and simple. It's all about $$$$$ and getting every dime you have !!!! Drugs with alcohol, this guy was set up ! Their greed has no limit !
Markers should be outlawed, they always seem to be the common denominator in problem gambling.
Harrahs is scum! They put 750 people on the streets for there own greed! They did work on there properties with out the proper permits!They dont have anymore care for this city,than anyone of the other strip properties! They just do it with out class!!! The only way i can see Vegas comeing back is to burn everything down to the ground,and let the mob build it back up to what was once A GREAT CITY! With the way these so called masters are running things,i dont see vegas ever recovering!!!
rumrunner...
listen...
if you don't know the difference between "their" and "there"...please shut up. you look like an idiot.
Harrah's is synonymous with greed. Its obscene what they did to that man.
Not to excuse him all together, but the fact is when you become the procurer and enabler... supply the drugs and alcohol you have crossed the line. For that Harrah's must pay.
What is scarey to me is that Harrah's has no sense of morality or responsibility.
They should never have let this go to court. One would have thought they valued their own reputation that much.
It is just another indicator of Harrah's unspoken philosophy. Get all you can get!!! Believe me if they will do it to a whale and not think twice about it, they will do it to anyone or should I say everybody else.
Shame on them. I will not patronize them.
mr. Watanabee was harrah's ultimate player's card member. He was the only person to recieve the president rank club card; more than their gold, platinum, diamond, seven star status cards combined. He even had his own personal suite in the rio's palozzo suites. I could believe they tanked up their star player with whatever he desired, based on many stories told about his misadventures during my time working at the rio or from tales from family at cesaer's. Calling him a philanthropist is a joke! Stories of him would make sodom and gamorah sound like the garden of Eden. Btw markers are considered checks in Nevada law.
I agree Watanabee is largely to blame for his own problems.
Its just that I think Harrah's took advantage of them inexcusably. They didn't play the game fair and square.
If the guy is a sucker (problem gambler in today's parlance) than play the game according to established rules... Give him drinks, give him perks, etc. etc. etc.
But don't give him drugs and get him stupified to the point where you are being questioned by the public as to your morality and integrity. And that is exactly where Harrah's has put themselves.
The irony is they pay millions to develop a corporate brand and then they trash it over $14M in markers after having won $111M or some such number.
Somebody has their head up their tuches.
Is Harrah's gambling license in jeopardy? Wow, the Las Vegas strip without Harrahs, hmm.
If they are proven to have violated gaming statutes, they should expect a hefty fine.
If it goes that way, I hope that given their size and juice, they don't get a pass.
This type of activity and publicity surely reflect badly on Nevada gaming.
This dude is a train wreck. He should have played the .05 keno touch machines. He would still have money.
qwill (tongue in cheek) The billboards used to read "Reno or Bust". Big Fat Bear was their mascot. Break it up and send 'em back to UNR to study Human Relations. Phil Ruffin has got my respect for helping MGM out. Where's Major Riddle when you need him???
GOOGLE: Terrance K. Watanabe,
porter.... I agree with you on your statements. However I want to clear up the early day advertising confusion and offer a little history...
The Harolds Club "Reno" or Bust signs were put though out the United States by Harolds Club in Reno. Harolds Club was once the kingpin in Nevada gambling. Harolds used different western themes including animals such as bears, but their most famous was the covered wagon hell bent on making it to Reno. From the 1940's to the mid 1960's Harolds Club was the biggest operator in the state.
Harrah's had a mascot as many of the clubs did in the 40's - 60's; Harrah's had a genie that was used in advertising and as the winning symbol on the single coin Pace slot machines that Harrah's used up until the 1980's. By the end of the 1960's Harrah's by virtue of similarity of the name (Harolds - Harrah's) and sound business practices by William F. Harrah; Harrah's with operation only in Reno and Stateline (Lake Tahoe) became the biggest operator in the state. The company has not been the same since it's sale to Holiday Inns in 1980; and subsequent sales and mergers since. It's just a brand name that's neck deep in debt.
One club that did use a Bear in their advertising was the Commercial Hotel in Elko, NV. The Commercial had the "White King" polar bear on display (stuffed) and they used the likeness in their advertising.
One has to be under the influence to be dumb enough to gamble. Hell go in to any casino bathroom and observe the white residue on the seat cover and toilet dispenser covers and it appears quite evident that Mr. Wattanabe was not alone in his purple haze. It is the sober gambler who truly has a problem.
Please allow me to change the subject just for a moment, I saw some rather shocking information that needs to be shared (see link at the bottom for Business Week Article)
It's time to end our "risky experiment" of "maybe health insurance". What's proven is 'maybe they'll pay', more likely they won't. It's a proven failure.
Support HR676. It's a Single Payer system that is proven, pro-business and pro-people:
* Slashes at least 30% of costs off the top by removing private insurance overhead.
* Companies take health care expenses off their books. Stock value increases. Better able to compete internationally.
* Small companies could have access to higher skilled workers because previously they couldn't compete in the labor market by offering similar benefits.
* More entrepreneurial ventures will launch since they have more money and less unrelated risk.
* Dramatic drop in bankruptcies.
* Dramatic drop in lawsuits. Most of these lawsuits are simply to obtain money to cover health care if something interrupts their coverage.
* Reduced system complexity. Greater efficiency due to fewer regulations.
* Savings from employees not having to fight with their insurers during work hours.
* HSA and MSA dollars redirected back into the economy for goods and services.
* Additional money to spend from not having to carry "uninsured motorist coverage" on your auto policy.
* Contract employment is more viable for workers since they are guaranteed access to health care.
* People are covered when unemployed. No chance of being wiped out financially if you lose your job.
* Health care providers (doctors, hospitals, therapists...) see increase in business with much less administrative expense.
*************
Read this new article in BusinessWeek (the 'maybe' insurance companies have already won!)
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/con...
Shocking huh? So what are WE going to do about it?
This news article is a game changer in the debate over health reform, please read it and pass it on to as many people as you can.
Shrek, So what in the world does your lengthy post have anything at all to do with Whales, Gambling, Terrance Watanabe, Drinking, Markers, Harrahs or ANYTHING else in the article or the 43 comments posted before yours. If you want to post your opinions on health care, go to one of the many health care related articles in this paper. Otherwise, we'll just consider it propoganda spam. we read the posts to see the opinions on the article we are reading.
Harrah's is Guilty. The D.A. & Gaming Control Board are in bed with Harrah's. When Harrah's says jump, D.A. Zadrowski says how high. How many more gambling debt arrests is our D.A. going to make on behalf of Harrah's.
Harrah's is dirty. Our D.A. is Harrah's bill collector with a badge and gun. Time for change! Gaming laws and the gaming control board need to be fair to players instead of always siding with the casinos.
That's so weird, casino restrooms don't have seatcovers.
I didn't know he played at Harrahs but he did play (regularly) at my casino and was soooo generous with EVERYONE! Guests & employees! If he was doing well everyone was going well... (even if he wasn't)... We would get Saks gift cards like they were nothing - and Marie Calendars Pies were a monthly gift for some... Im not saying "let him off the hook" but maybe hold your "harsh" remarks - He personally is a great person who just got himself in a "situation"
Harrah's is running ads on one of the poker shows with a blurb saying "Responsible Gaming is our Business". That assertion sure flies in the face of this particular story. The ad looks simply like PR to counter negative stories, plain and simple.
Here's the thing. Regardless of how you feel about Terry, his case is going to change gaming forever. it's going to change vegas forever. When this is all said and done and all the facts have come to light. It's not going to be good for harrah's or the DA. The DA is getting involved in something they shouldn't have, this is a casino problem. It's going to make them look like they're getting nice and cuddly with Harrah's for fixing all their problems for them. It makes Harrah's look bad because they let this problem happen. But they didnt stop it because Terry lost so much money that he's has probably paid the payroll for Harrah's for the last 3 years! how much did they say he lost in 07 112 million dollars! I bet thats how they were able to build that useless new tower at Ceasars. Here's what concerns me, Has the recession gotten so bad for Harrah's that after having gained 112 million of this man's money, why are they going after a drop in the bucket like 15 million? That seems like an huge amount of money to you or I but to these casinos 15 million is nothing. So are they hurting for it? I would think that the casino could almost just forget about it and cut their losses. Is it really worth the distrust you know have from the public about how you run your casinos. Is it worth the taxpayers to have to pay for Harrah's big mistake? Is it worth the DA looking like fools for getting involved without knowing all the facts or allegations? I have a strong feeling no one is going to win this battle.
If you're that drugged and drunk, how can you continue to gamble and not realize you should probably get up and leave? Losing a million sure, but come on losing $112M in one year and not saying anything after the first incident being given pain killers and (asking) for alcohol. Nobody is going to shove alcohol down your throat and make you play the hand.
At what point does anyone here bashing Harrah's think that Watanabe had personal responsibility for his actions?? I find some of these comments nothing short of ridiculous! Does ANYONE BEAR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for their actions anymore? When I go into Caesars' and ask the waitress to 'keep 'em coming' when on the Poker tables, whether I lose $50 or a couple of hundred it is my responsibility, not the waitress, not the dealers, pitbosses etc!
He's a whale for God's sake, or course they kept the drinks coming (and odds are whatever else he wanted)! It's a casino's job to try and show you a good time, while keeping you at the tables. If you have the ability to lose millions while staring into the ample chest of a pretty woman while downing whiskey that's no ones fault but your own!! PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY PEOPLE!
PS - I'll be there next month Harrah's, feel free to toss all the booze you want my way, but be warned, I'm just a 'guppie'!