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By Cara McCoy 
Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 | 9:26 a.m.
Walker
Sun Archives
The case against a former NBA star who owes $822,500 in casino gambling debts is moving forward after a brief hearing today in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Antoine Walker was scheduled to appear this morning in front of Justice of the Peace Melanie Andress-Tobiasson. His lawyer, Jonathan Powell, appeared on his behalf.
Powell indicated that Walker intended to waive his right to a preliminary hearing and asked for a continuance. Another hearing in front of Andress-Tobiasson was set for 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 30.
Waiving a preliminary hearing means a case goes directly to Clark County District Court.
"We're hoping some type of resolution in the case can be reached in the near future," Powell said. "Negotiations are ongoing."
Walker faces three felony bad check charges for gambling debts at three Las Vegas casinos. A complaint charges three felony counts of passing checks with insufficient funds from July 27, 2008, to Jan. 19 at Red Rock Resort, Planet Hollywood and Caesars Palace.
The complaint alleges he wrote 10 separate checks for $100,000 each, for gambling markers. Gambling debts in Nevada are handled as bad check cases.
Walker played for the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2008. He won a championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat and was a three-time all-star for the Boston Celtics.
why would he waive his right to a preliminary hearing
Because his lawyer told him to?
He DID NOT write any "checks"; he SIGNED checks issued by the casino that they call markers, but it is not a "marker" or a line of credit.
How this State can involve itself in the collection of debit by marker under the flag of "bad checks" is just beyond reasonable.
The pit boss sees to it the gambler has plenty to drink and writes him a check to sign, quaint!
I propose that banks be allowed to serve drinks, no charge, during a loan application....it is only fair-in Vegas baby?
You see folks for every one of these high dollar high profile "bad check" cases there are thousands of locals in trouble because they got a $100, $500 or thousand dollar marker, stupid drunk or just addicted to gambling and the casinos ruin lives with the enforcement of the DA!
If the "markers" were a "line of credit", the casinos would be much more careful of who, when and how much they gave these "lines of credit to".
casinos should get nothing. I hope I'm on the jury. casinos just add to the addiction problem of so many and the casinos know when people have problems, like Walker.
I believe it used to be that credit card debts for gambling purposes were not collectable. I think that has changed. It does seem a little like the mortgage lenders got away with, give someone a loan they have no good reason to believe they can repay. What I dont get is, how the casinos can go to the sherrif and the state tacks on that 10% fee to the "alegged' ower of the debt. At least the mortgage broker has to pay for the attorneys to be made whole. Here there is absolutely no disincentive for the casino to lend the money.. just have the sherrif act as your debt collector.
The Sun may not want to report that he drank at the tables. Not good for the gaming industry. Right?
you all make it seem like irresponsible drinking lets u off the hook for irresponsible gambling. i'm surprised he can actually write his own name on anything.
Funny, it is the casino's that "promote", "propagandize" RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING...let them take the loss!
How about big time NBA all-star knowing when to quit? Why should the casino's tell him when to quit? They are just in business to make money. Is everyone out there commenting on this story saying they would act any different then the casino if put in that situation? People need to learn from their own mistakes. This probably isn't the first time Walker has lost a bunch of money due to gambling. These sports stars and popular people think they can get away with anything. Take it to Walker just to prove a point! Be smart with your money, in and out of the casino!
Don't do the bet if your going to regret! To blame the casino's is like saying the ocean made the shark bite me.
Something wrong with this picture, let's see, ex NBA player, owes money. Wait, there is NO BLING on him.
Las Vegas is going down fast. One of these cases will reach the highest court in the land. Markers will be illegal and should be!
No worries Antoine, Obama will save you too!
2zero: Quote:"He DID NOT write any "checks"; he SIGNED checks issued by the casino that they call markers, but it is not a "marker" or a line of credit."
According to NRS (Nevada Revised Statute), Markers is considered a script or a check. There fore he defaulted on bad checks for failing to pay, a felony in this state. How come people don't get that??? You are basically writing an I.O.U., that is what a check is.
i have a feeling mr. walker probably never paid attention in class.
Sounds like he has a $$ discipline problem or a gambling addiction.
The most you can expect from a creditor is honesty.
Borrow and you should pay!
No free ride!
If you can't handle credit, don't borrow. The casinos expect to collect.
wow, $822,500 buys a lot of basketballs and bling
Once again I am mystified that these casinos granted that much credit, and did not cut off this guy who was obviously chasing his losses. I believe that there should be a statute which rules that if a person is on a losing streak, that the extension of additional markers must be put off for 48 hours or some type of cooling off period to allow a desperate gambler to think about what he is doing to his or her self. I'm positive that with a little sleep, food, and time to come to their senses, they would not go so deep in the hole.. I't's like the dope dealer who keeps injecting the addict until he dies. No difference whatsoever!
And they want to build an NBA arena and have an NBA team here. Can you imagine how many more NBA players with thier big checks will go thru the same problems Mr Walker is facing.
What shall we name the team?? The Las Vegas Gambling Addicts?