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Terrance K. Watanabe, left, of Omaha, Neb., leaves the Regional Justice Center following his arraignment in Las Vegas on May 20, 2009, accompanied by sister Pam Watanabe-Gerdes.
By Cara McCoy 
Published Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 1:31 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 5:04 p.m.
Sun Archives
- Gambler who lost millions claims he was plied with alcohol, drugs (5-18-2009)
- 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)
Nebraska philanthropist Terrance K. Watanabe pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony charges of theft and passing bad checks in connection with $14.7 million in gambling debts.
Watanabe, 52, made the plea during an arraignment in justice court.
Earlier this week through his Las Vegas attorney, David Chesnoff, Watanabe accused Caesars Palace and the Rio, both Harrah's properties, of plying him with alcohol and, at Caesars Palace, prescription painkillers as his losses mounted.
Watanabe, whose wealth comes from the Omaha-based Oriental Trading Co., has said he was kept in a constant state of intoxication by resort employees in the late months of 2007, which is a violation of state gaming regulations.
Nevada gaming regulations prohibit casinos from allowing "visibly intoxicated" players to continue to gamble.
Watanabe's court apperance lasted only minutes and his attorney did most of the talking. Watanabe spoke only to say he understood the charges against him, to spell his name and to enter his plea.
He left the Regional Justice Center flanked by his attorneys and a woman identified as his sister. Watanabe faces the possibility of probation or up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
In 2007, he lost $112 million at Harrah's casinos, including $94.1 million at Caesars Palace and $12.2 million at the Rio, Chesnoff has said. With the exception of the $14.7 million in dispute, all of that money was paid back to the casinos through wire transfers, Chesnoff said.
A Watanabe attorney declined to comment on the case Wednesday, referring to a statement he released days ago about the case.
Trial is scheduled for Nov. 16.
Transport yourself to the opulent and excessive Roman Empire at Caesars Palace. But the ever-changing Caesars Palace is far from ancient. The hotel and casino is constantly raising the bar for what visitors can expect in a Vegas resort experience.
Caesars Palace features 3,348 rooms and suites in five towers, including the new luxury boutique Nobu Hotel and Restaurant, which opened Feb. 4, 2013, in the totally remodeled Centurian Tower. Caesars features 129,000 square feet of gaming space, including the Strip’s largest poker room and a 250-seat sports book. Other amenities include about two dozen restaurants, a four-level shopping mall, four pools, a spa, Pure and Poetry nightclubs and Pussycat Dolls.
Dining options include restaurants from world-renown chefs Guy Savoy, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay and, on Feb. 4, 2013, Nobu Matsuhisa.
You never know what characters you’ll run into at Caesars with regular performers like Jerry Seinfeld, Bette Midler, Elton John and maybe even the emperor himself.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
nobody can force you to drink,or gamble,poor excuse
I did not know that there are still debtor prisons in the US. I guess only in Nevavda.
The booze is one thing, but if Harrah's staff members were handing our Lortabs like candy, they are in a world of hurt. Not only will they probably lose this case-they may get countersued for the other roughly $100 mil that he had lost and paid.
If this guy gets off paying this money, which is highly unlikely, than anyone who has ever gambled and drank in a Casino will be able to sue claiming they were drunk and did not know what they were doing!!!! Gimme a break. Also, the Casinos will never serve alcohol again if this guy beats this thing.
JUST SAY NO!
gee - I was drunk at the casino a few months ago - had about 3 beers - can I get my money back that i lost in the wheel of fortune machine?? This guy is just a scammer - how can you loose that much money 100 million plus? Better call 1-800 gambling problem - he should not be allowed in any casino unless he has the cash to play - I blame the casino for allowing him the markers to keep on playing - they deserve not to get paid. shame shame on you casino
What a loser - they (both he and his sister) obviously have some kind of money - the clothes they're wearing don't look cheap to me. I hope they not only make him pay up but pay for all legal costs and interest on the money owed.
Yeah he probably owes the money unless he can prove the pain killer thing but.... How can they get this guy for check fraud when he obviously never pays by check? All of his transactions $112 million were paid by wire transfer. WHY WOULD THESE IDIOTS PROSECUTE THIS GUY? HE LOST $112 MILLION TO THEM, YOU CAN BET HE WON'T BE BACK NOW... THEY SHOULD HAVE WROTE OFF THE DEBT AND HE WOULD PROBABLY BE BACK SPENDING $100 million in our casinos...SO NOW I KNOW WHY THE CASINO'S BUSINESS IS DOWN SO MUCH!!!
WHY WOULD THESE IDIOTS PROSECUTE THIS GUY? HE LOST $112 MILLION TO THEM, YOU CAN BET HE WON'T BE BACK NOW... THEY SHOULD HAVE WROTE OFF THE DEBT AND HE WOULD PROBABLY BE BACK SPENDING $100 million in our casinos...SO NOW I KNOW WHY THE CASINO'S BUSINESS IS DOWN SO MUCH!!!
Casinos could get around their liability in serving intoxicated patrons by not offering free alcoholic drinks. Illinois riverboat casinos require patrons to purchase their own alcoholic drinks, thereby putting the responsibility on the patron, rather than the casino.
"Illnois riverboat casinos require patrons to purchase their own alcoholic drinks"
Yes, AND WE HATE IT!
BAD IDEA!
This casino stepped over the line if they gave him prescription medication. They should have cut off any CREDIT they were giving him at some point.
I'd say settle for 50 cents on the dollar.
Funny thing , I worked at the rio at the time this man would come to play and the Rio would have his table ready with ( millions of dallors in $25,000 chips ) and would give him anything he wanted . The Rio would have 24 hour security with him at all times and would go with him to any location Harrah's had . If he would lose at the rio , one phone call and Ceasars would be ready with open arms and again a table would be ready with ( millions ) .So I think the casino's spoiled him and now are crying because of what he owe's . Believe theirs more about this then meets the eye .
LOL Yeah, I know Bro... Alcohol affects me the same way. I do things that I wouldn't do when I was sober.
I won some money the other day when I was drunk.
I gave it back when I sobered up, because I wasn't in control of myself when I bet it. It wasn't my fault that I won it.