A student says he lost £1,400 at a casino after he asked to be barred.
Jack* claims he lost the money playing blackjack on Thursday, January 16, during a three-hour visit to the Rainbow Casino on Bristol city centre’s Explore Lane.
The 22-year-old says the casino allowed him in even though he placed himself on the SENSE scheme last February, self-excluding himself from every land-based casino in the UK.
Jack, who is battling a gambling addiction, claims he was “heavily intoxicated”, having drunk about nine pints and several double vodkas on a night out before he went to Rainbow.
“My friend says I was turned away from nightclubs beforehand because I was too drunk,” Jack said.
“It seems strange the clubs wouldn’t let me enter and yet Rainbow let me in without doing any checks.”
'I just wanted it to end'
Jack claims Rainbow has allowed him entry on 10 occasions since he banned himself through SENSE.
He says he has lost around £6,000 in total during those visits, paying out £700 on one occasion last October.
Jack added: “I felt bad after that night in October, and I spoke to the manager. I told him the ban should have been enforced.
“I just wanted it to end. I told him I wanted to be banned for life, and he said he would let all the staff know not to let me in.
“Clearly that didn’t happen. I am in my last year at university and I work part-time at McDonald’s – I can’t be losing that kind of money.
“When I woke up the morning after I lost £1,400, it was the worst thing. My student loan is tight and it’s going to be a difficult few months.”
Jack says Rainbow does not check if people are on the SENSE list before they enter the casino.
“It seems like they will let anyone in,” he added. “They don’t even check my i.d.
“I tried to get into Grosvenor Casino in Anchor Road, another time that I relapsed, but they were very good about it and they didn’t let me in.”
'It can never be satisfied'
The student believes his addiction stems from the “adrenaline rush” he gets while gambling.
He said: “When I’ve had a drink, that’s when the big money comes out and I start playing casino games, short and fast.
“When you’re gambling, that rush is always there in your mind. It can never be satisfied.”
More than 10,000 people have enrolled in the SENSE scheme since it launched in 2015.
Once a customer has asked to be excluded, their information is shared with all casinos across the country.
Rainbow director Hui Lam said: “Rainbow Casino takes its responsibility in protecting the vulnerable seriously and would not knowingly allow any intoxicated or self-excluded persons into our venues.
“We do not comment on individual cases.”
If you think you may have a gambling problem, you can get advice here and enrol with SENSE here.
*Jack did not wish to use his real name.
