ATLANTIC CITY — A federal judge has dismissed a $20 million
racketeering lawsuit against seven casinos by a former New York City
attorney who said they had a duty to stop her from gambling.
racketeering lawsuit against seven casinos by a former New York City
attorney who said they had a duty to stop her from gambling.
In a ruling issued Friday, U.S. District Judge Renee Bumb wrote
that Arelia Margarita Taveras failed to support her claim that gambling
is a hazardous endeavor worthy of special protections.
that Arelia Margarita Taveras failed to support her claim that gambling
is a hazardous endeavor worthy of special protections.
"Playing blackjack, roulette or the slots bears no likeness to
dumping toxic waste," the judge wrote. "She spent money on the bona
fide chance that she might win more money. In short, she gambled."
dumping toxic waste," the judge wrote. "She spent money on the bona
fide chance that she might win more money. In short, she gambled."
Taveras, who now lives in Minnesota, argued that the casinos saw
she clearly had a gambling addiction yet did nothing to stop it. She
said she gambled nonstop for days at a time in the casinos, and lost
close to $1 million in less than two years.
she clearly had a gambling addiction yet did nothing to stop it. She
said she gambled nonstop for days at a time in the casinos, and lost
close to $1 million in less than two years.
Taveras said she plans to appeal the dismissal.
