Can an old lawsuit against Donald Trump set precendent for the Aria case?

As we reported earlier [3] high stakes gambler and casino owner, Leon Tsoukernik, filed a lawsuit against poker player Matt Kirk and Aria casino. It looks like Donald Trump had a case similar to this one before.

The Donald has seen it all

The recent case goes back to a huge heads-up battle between Tsoukernik and Kirk in Ivey's Room in May. The Czech famously lost $3 million while drinking heavily. As he refused to pay, Matt decided to sue him. However, a few weeks ago Leon decided to file a counterclai, against the Australian and Aria casino, stating Kirk and Aria "prevented" him to leave the table and allowed him to become too intoxicated. He's looking for damages in excess of $10 million.

Everyone in the poker world was quick to put their two cents in no matter how much they know about the case or gambling laws in general. But eventually relevant opinions have occured as well. Jeff Ifrah a Washington, D.C.-based attorney said when asked about the case that "generally, claims that casinos serve too many drinks to gamblers have failed, as they should. I think Aria casino is on safe grounds here."

As it turned out back in 1993 a similar lawsuit was filed against then Trump Taj Mahal and Donald Trump himself. The lawsuit was decided by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which ruled that gamblers could not recover their losses regardless of their drunkenness. In that case Ayhan Hakimoglu sued the casino and the court ruled that dram shop liability didn't extend to drinking and gambling. The Third Circuit decided that it would be "difficult" to prove the causation because sober gamblers can play well yet lose big, while drunk gamblers can still win big.

Leon makes sure this haircut not to be Matt's biggest regret

Also worth mentioning the information that founder of Dusk Till Dawn card room Rob Yong shared on his blog after allegations of the countersuit saw daylight. Rob is close to both parties, they often participate in big games together. Back in June, after the heads-up battle, he was trying to help the two broker a deal. He stated that Matt wanted to stop playing against the heavily drinking Leon but the latter had no interest in quiting while stuck and forced him to keep on playing by saying he was never going to play him again if he leaves.

Possible key witness Rob Yong

Although we can't be certain what exactly went down between the two, it is easy to say that this is a case worth keeping up-to-date with. Who do you think is right here? Let us know in the comments below!

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