Banned Player Wins Casino Jackpot, Gets Arrested

A banned Iowa player won a jackpot in a casino, despite being self-excluded. The man, who used a fake identity, was arrested, prompting an investigation into the matter.  

Matthew James Wessels, 43, was a self-excluded player who enrolled in the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s self-exclusion program in January last year. However, Wessels couldn’t resist the temptation and eventually visited Isle Hotel Casino in Waterloo, according to reports.

However, Wessels struck a jackpot in the casino and had to think of something to claim the money. For context, self-excluded players are banned from casinos, racetracks and gambling establishments. As a result, self-excluded players who enter casinos are considered to be trespassing and can be forced to leave and forfeit their winnings.

As Wessels didn’t want to lose his jackpot, he allegedly gave another person’s name in the paperwork when he collected his winnings. The reports say that Wessels won his jackpot on May 17.

The casino eventually learned who Wessels was and contacted the authorities. On May 19, the man allegedly tried to return to the casino but was denied entry.

Wessels was arrested earlier this week on charges of multiple charges. He was accused of gambling misdemeanor, forgery and trespassing. To make matters worse, the man was also charged with possession of meth with intent to deliver, reports say.

Other Recent Crime Cases

In other casino crime-related news, a gambler who robbed a relative and a bank to fuel his gambling addiction was just sentenced to 26 years in prison plus five years of supervised release. According to reports, the man had desperately sought gambling money, causing him to send an accomplice to assault and rob his father-in-law and steal money from a Bank of America branch.  

Elsewhere, an anonymous threat led to the gathering of a large number of police officers and vehicles at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa on Thursday afternoon. As it turned out, an anonymous man had called the property, warning them that he was an armed guest. The police, however, were unable to identify any such danger.

Earlier, a shooting near the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma led to a man’s death.