Robbery of Patron at Rhode Island Casino Not Held Accountable by Judge for Casino's Liability
In a surprising twist of events, a District Court judge has dismissed a complaint filed against Bally's Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island, regarding a robbery and assault incident that occurred outside the casino premises.
Edward Peduto, a casino patron, was robbed and assaulted in 2021, following his departure from the casino. The criminals had followed him to a gas station about 50 miles away, where they stole an undisclosed sum of money and inflicted medical expenses totaling $46,212 on him.
Peduto's legal team argued that the casino failed to protect its patrons by not sufficiently monitoring the gaming floor and not ensuring the safety of gamblers from potential violence. However, Judge Burroughs ruled against these claims, stating that the individuals responsible for the crime didn't commit any offenses within the casino, and the video footage didn't reveal any indications of their intentions.
The judge emphasized that the responsibility for an individual's safety depends on whether the harm is predictable and preventable. In this case, the location of the robbery meant that it wasn't the casino's responsibility.
It's worth noting that incidents like Peduto's are common, with many individuals falling victim to robberies after winning at casinos. This lawsuit pointed to at least eight similar incidents involving the same casino property since January 2019.
When it comes to their legal responsibilities, casinos like Bally's Twin River Casino must prioritize security measures, duty of care, compliance with regulations, incident reporting, and employee training. By adhering to these obligations, they can help create a safe environment for their patrons and employees.
However, concerns extend beyond the casino floor for Bally's Twin River. Issues related to unattended children and secondhand smoke exposure continue to be areas of focus for the casino, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to safety and security.
The surrounding general news raises questions about the safety of casino-goers, as a District Court judge dismissed a complaint against Bally's Twin River Casino due to a robbery and assault incident that occurred outside the casino premises. Despite this, repeated instances of crimes related to casino-games, such as eight similar incidents since January 2019, have brought crime-and-justice concerns to the forefront. It is crucial for casinos like Bally's Twin River Casino to maintain not only a safe gaming environment but also address issues beyond the casino-and-gambling floor, such as unattended children and secondhand smoke exposure, to ensure a holistic approach to safety and security.
