A Massachusetts poker pro is suing the Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City for $1.25million after receiving a lifetime ban for what he claims was a joke about jumping from a hotel window.
Update: Scott Robbins contacted us and asked to give his point of view and since we want to hear both sides of the story we have published his statement below.
“Your freelancer stated his opinion as fact as if he heard what was said at he front desk and wrote the following: “He had made several inappropriate remarks to the receptionist regarding jumping out of his window who then requested a security team escort Robbins from his hotel room.” I made so such inappropriate remarks. What was said has been clearly articulated on many other articles on the web. I asked “if I was forced to jump out of a window on a high floor, would I make it (what I thought was implied was in the case of an earthquake or a fire, etc). What I didn’t realize was that the girl who was not born in the USA wouldn’t pick up on what was clearly a nonsensical question and lighthearted as did the other two women right next to her who both laughed. Then I followed it with the same question referring to a low floor. Then I stated “we’ll I’m not going to make it no matter what floor I’m on so I suppose it doesn’t matter. Any floor with do. That is a FAR CRY from “inappropriate remarks”. But if your freelancer has a video or audio tape of thr interaction, I’d love to see or hear it….but he does not!!
Just a misunderstanding?
Scott Robbins was checking in to the iconic venue last September for the WPT Borgata Main Event. That’s when he claims an ill-advised quip about which floor he’d survive a jump from was taken the wrong way by hotel staff.
That then led to him having to go to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. He got ejected from the hotel and received a lifetime ban.
The lawsuit explains: “Upon arrival at the hotel/casino and in conversation with the front desk clerk, [Robbins] was asked if he wanted a high floor or a low floor — to which he jokingly responded, ‘If I had to jump from a high floor window [meaning, in case of fire or earthquake], would I make it?’”
“The clerk responded with ‘NO, don’t do that.’
Robbins continued with what he claims was just banter. He asked the check-in clerk: “Would I make it if I had to jump out of a lower floor?” Again the response was, “NO, don’t do that.”
According to Robbins’ lengthy lawsuit, he then stated: “I won’t. But since I wouldn’t survive either, I guess it doesn’t matter what floor you give me.” He was then given a key to the 30th floor and joked “Not a low floor!”
The lawsuit points out that rooms at the Borgata are fitted with extra-thick glass to prevent gamblers from taking their own lives by jumping.
Borgata hotel security arriving in Robbins’ room
What happened next lies at the crux of his legal action.
Hotel security arrived at his room shortly afterward and was told he would have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation if he wanted to stay. Robbins was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center by ambulance and charged $1157 for the ride.
There, a psychiatrist gave him a letter stating he was no threat to himself or others. However, he had to pay $865 for the privilege.
When he returned to the hotel, he found that his belongings had been cleared from the room. He was then handed a lifetime ban from Borgata properties and escorted from the premises.
Robbins alleges that Borgata’s ban, which includes tournament play, has cost him $850,000 in potential earnings over the next ten years.
His Hendon Mob listing reveals a healthy $417,325 in live earnings from January 2018 onwards. Including a $130,235 3rd-place finish at the 2019 Lucky Hearts Poker Open in Hollywood, Florida.
He is also claiming damages of $200,000 for lost corporate and individual sponsorships and another $200,000 in punitive and compensatory damages.
Among the 28 actionable claims in his lawsuit are those of false imprisonment and libel/slander and defamation. The latter is based on the Borgata allegedly “wantonly and recklessly” making it known that Robbins “was banned for life from the Borgata because of a suicide attempt.”
The case will now be heard in federal court.
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