A gambler is suing Star City Casino after he lost $50,000 when staff allegedly broke an agreement not to let him near the blackjack tables.

Chi Thanh Nguyen, 35, was financially ruined and on the verge of a marriage breakdown when the casino offered to ban him for life.

The casino offers a self-exclusion service that lets gamblers ban themselves with the help of casino staff.

But two years after signing the agreement, Mr Nguyen had a moment of weakness and returned to Star City, where he dropped another $50,000.

"I excluded myself from the casino after they made me lose a lot of money at baccarat and blackjack," the car detailer and father of one said yesterday.







"I had lost $150,000, and I said: 'I can't lose any more money - please don't let me in any more.'

"They asked whether I was sure I wanted to do this.

"When I said yes, they took me to a room and took four photographs. I signed a form and they said if I returned, I would be fined $2000 and they could kick me out."

Mr Nguyen said he went to the casino for a meal but began gambling again.

Last Monday alone, he lost another $2000. Since he resumed gambling, he has lost $50,000.

Mr Nguyen's solicitor confirmed yesterday that she was preparing to sue the casino for breach of duty, negligence and $50,000 in damages.

"This has ruined my life. They promised they wouldn't let me in, but they did - and now I lose everything," Mr Nguyen said.

"I want to warn others in my community that gambling can ruin your life."

A Star City Casino spokesman said yesterday Mr Nguyen had been detected entering the casino on May 5 and was escorted out by a government inspector.

"While it would be regrettable if Mr Nguyen gambled before he was detected, it appears he was detected by casino staff and dealt with appropriately," the spokesman said.

"Star City does all it can to detect people who have self-excluded from the casino, and we ask them to leave.

"However, we don't pretend it's possible to detect everyone who tries to re-enter, especially when the gaming floor is crowded."

The spokesman said between 30 and 40 excluded patrons were detected re-entering the casino every month.

He added that Mr Nguyen had been self-excluded for a number of years and was considered unlikely to return.

His photograph had now been passed to staff, who would be on the alert for him.