A U.S. District Court judge decided that a Rhode Island casino is not responsible for stopping the robbery of a gambler.
In 2021, Edward Peduto was robbed after leaving Bally’s Twin River Casino in Lincoln. Peduto said the criminals targeted him at the casino and trailed closely behind as he drove to his home in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The robbery happened when he stopped at a service plaza in North Lexington, about 50 miles from the casino.
Lawyers Say Casino Didn’t Do Enough
Peduto's lawyers argued that Bally's Twin River and its owner, UTGR, did not fulfill their responsibility to keep people safe because they didn't properly monitor what was happening at the casino and didn't provide enough security.
They also claimed that the casino knew, or should have known, about violence like robbery against its customers and should have expected that a patron might experience a violent incident while visiting.
Judge Said Location Of Crime Absolves Casino
Judge Allison D. Burroughs did not find the argument convincing.
She pointed out that the casino's security cameras only recorded the potential attackers leaving the premises simultaneously as the plaintiff and other individuals. At that point, they were not involved in any illegal activities in the casino or the parking lot, and nothing indicated to the camera monitors that they planned to harm Peduto.
Burroughs explained that whether someone is responsible for ensuring others' safety depends on whether the risk of harm is predictable and preventable by the person in question.
She pointed out that the details of the attack, though unfortunate, do not fit the rare situations where Massachusetts courts have held property owners responsible for preventing crimes by third parties. The reason is the attack happened about fifty miles from the defendant's property, beyond their security and control.
Crimes Like This Aren’t That Uncommon
The chance of falling victim to a crime after winning a lot of money at the casino is pretty low. However, crime still happens sometimes.
In January, two masked thieves followed a man from a California casino to his home in a Los Angeles suburb and tried to rob him at gunpoint. The man’s son heard his father screaming in the driveway and rushed out, stopping the crime.
About a year ago, three suspects followed a 52-year-old man from a Wisconsin casino to his home in Minneapolis. They then robbed him of $38,000. Investigators found out that the suspects and two more accomplices had stalked the man inside the casino. Authorities have charged all five people for this crime.
In February 2023, someone assaulted an 84-year-old man in his driveway after the elderly man left an Indiana casino with $6,000 in winnings. The 58-year-old suspect fled with the money.
How To Protect Yourself At The Casino
If you win a lot of money at the casino, it's important to stay safe. Here are some safety, tips:
- Try to keep your winnings discreet; avoid telling strangers about your good fortune.
- Consider asking casino security for an escort to your car or hotel room.
- Use a safe or a bank to securely store your money rather than carrying large amounts with you.
Also, try not to travel alone, especially at night, and be mindful of your surroundings. It's wise to plan your transportation, calling a trusted taxi or ride service to avoid lingering outside the casino and to have someone with you when you arrive.
Or, you can stay in and find an online casino that you like.
