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Man with $14.7 million in gambling debts pleads not guilty
Tiffany Brown
Terrance K. Watanabe, 52, 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.
Published Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 1:31 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 5:04 p.m.
Sun Archives
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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.
Discussion: 16 comments so far…
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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.
Not guilty, yeah good luck with that they have you on video making all those bets and signing all those markers. It would save you a lot of money to just write the check for what you owe and then go seek help for your addiction. The rich always trying to pass responsibility to someone else.
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.