Gambler Who Lost Millions ($127 Million at Harrah's) Wants Some Debt Forgiven

Sphere ^ | December 8, 2009 | Richard C. Paddock

[DogByte6RER]

"A fool and his money are soon parted."

[Red in Blue PA]

In Omaha, he is known for donating money to AIDS patients, military families and the police department.

His donations could have been $127B greater!

[Minutemen]

Harrah’s forgives him.

[Lets Roll NOW]

The bailout mentality is everywhere.

[fhayek]

Whales. I never heard the term before, now everybody is talking about whales.

[Arkinsaw]

I believe you ought to be able to do what you want with your own money. If you want to burn it in the yard. Go for it.

But no bailouts, and no court sympathy. You did it.

[WhatNot]

yup, and another way to put that is , “some people have more money than brains”

[ansel12]

Nearly $1 billion in wagers passed through his hands.

What an incredible ride that must have been.

[Yorlik803]

And what does he have to show for it?
Sometimes having that much money can be a curse. However, it is a curse most of us would like to endure.

[SpaceBar]

Here's the once rich idiot who judging by the caption has some serious problems.


Terrance "Terry" Watanabe, right, his attorneys, David Chesnoff, background center, and Richard Schonfeld appear in court at the Clark County Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. The prominent Nebraska philanthropist, facing felony theft and bad check charges for nearly $15 million in debts with two Las Vegas casinos, has surrendered himself to authorities and posted $1.5 million bail.

[ikka]

Owner Steve Wynn personally cut him off from further play, citing his apparent gambling and alcohol addictions, according to the complaint to the gaming board. A spokeswoman for Wynn said the casino had no comment.

If true, this is a smoking gun - Harrah's will get dinged big time.

Second, there are video cameras everywhere in Vegas; Harrah's will face subpoenas for every piece of video they have, or should have kept, of Watanabe.

Provided him a prescription drug - yes I believe that could have occurred.

[Gapplega]

Well, he cured himself of the curse. Next up, “would u like fries with that?”

[an amused spectator]

Under the law, the district attorney's office will receive a 10 percent commission on any amount it collects from Watanabe.

The DA is nothing but a common thug.

[SoldierDad]

In California I voted against first the state lottery, and then allowing Indian gaming casinos all across the state precisely because of the problems associated with people becoming “hooked” by gambling. A friend of ours, while managing a Forest Service camp grounds and Marina at our favorite lake got caught up in gambling at a casino in Northern CA during the winter months. She became “hooked” on going to the casino, and increased her visits to include during the open season for the lake. At first she only used her money. But, as she became more in debt, she then started taking cash receipts from the campgrounds. By the time it all crashed down upon her she had embezzled more than 50 thousand from the campgrounds. This was over a period of just over a year’s time. Yes, she was arrested. She entered a plea to avoid a lengthy prison sentence, but did spend time in prison. Her future as far as a career of any significance is probably done. It was a sad situation as she was a very hard working person who took her responsibilities seriously before this episode.

[PAR35]

known for donating money to AIDS patients... He now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

From this, is it safe to assume that he's probably not married to a woman?

[DontTreadOnMe2009]

Save the Whales !

[ThunderSleeps]

Gambler Who Lost Millions ($127 Million at Harrah's) Wants Some Debt Forgiven

And of course, had he won 127 million, he'd have given some of it back to the casino, right? Sure.

What a dumb-a**. Risk what you are willing to lose. You lost, big.

[ThermoNuclearWarrior]

Nobody but the woman you mentioned is responsible for her stupid behavior. It wasn't the casino's or anyone else's fault. Almost everything can be abused but most people have the will power to resist that. Food is probably the most abused thing in the country considering how many morbidly obese people there are here. That doesn't mean we need to regulate a persons food intake.

[ThermoNuclearWarrior]

“The Omaha philanthropist consumed more than two bottles of expensive vodka daily and gambled for days at a time without sleeping.”

It's impossible that he was drinking that much alcohol and staying up for days without sleep unless he was also taking some type of speed.

[willk]

Maybe Harrahs should brake one of his legs and force him to be a “Cooler” just like in the movie “The Cooler”.