Court Rules Against Gambler Who Sued Borgata Over Addiction

ATLANTIC CITY — A recent ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a compulsive gambler against the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, BetMGM, and MGM Resorts International. The gambler, Sam Antar, claimed the companies had a legal obligation under New Jersey's state law to prevent him from gambling, given his addiction. However, the appeals court disagreed, affirming that casinos are not legally required to protect individuals from their own gambling habits. The case marks the latest in a series of legal challenges where gamblers have attempted to hold casinos accountable for their losses. Antar, who claims he was enticed with offers to continue gambling, sued the companies for violating the Consumer Fraud Act.
The court, however, found no violation and stressed that New Jersey courts have consistently ruled that casinos are not liable for the actions of compulsive gamblers. Antar's lawsuit came after a federal judge dismissed the case in January 2024, with the court asserting that casinos have no “duty of care” towards gamblers suffering from addiction. Antar, who gambled $30 million over several months in 2019, expressed disappointment in the ruling, criticizing the casinos for their marketing practices. MGM Resorts has yet to comment on the ruling.