Atlantic City Casino Owner Fined for Playing Blackjack

Although the state’s gambling laws clearly state that it is illegal for casino owners to gamble within state limits, Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire casino businessman, was caught violating the law and fined.

Fertitta, the owner and president of Golden Nugget Casino, one of the top gambling venues in Atlantic City, was caught by the state’s law-enforcement agencies when he was gambling in Atlanic City.

New Jersey’s gambling laws clearly state that it is illegal for those who hold “key casino employee licenses” issued by the state to gamble in any of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City, irrespective of whether they own the property or not.

The state’s gaming enforcement division has prepared a five-page report, which states that Fertitta wagered on blackjack games several times during the last year. The authorities state that he played mostly low-stakes games and never spent more than $3,000 on chips. The report also states that the billionaire was not aware that the state has made it illegal for casino owners to gamble.

According to Golden Nugget General Manager Tom Pohlman, other US states do not prohibit casino owners from gambling, adding that the Golden Nugget informed the state about Fertitta’s gambling as soon as it came to know of it.

This blog entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2013 at 6:54 pm and is filed under Blackjack News.