Banned from the casino for no known reason!
Banned from the casino for no known reason!
"For almost two years, a Swiss casino has refused me access without the slightest explanation. I don't have any problems with gambling or alcohol, and I'm not being prosecuted. The casino claims that it is legally permissible for gaming houses to refuse entry to a person without giving any reason, so what's going on?
Raphael, Geneva
The main aims of the Federal Gaming Act are to ensure the safe and transparent operation of gaming, to prevent crime and money laundering, and to prevent the socially damaging consequences of gambling. Gambling houses are therefore required to implement a programme of social measures as part of their operations.
Casinos must provide their customers with accessible and comprehensible information on the dangers of gambling, including the addresses of advice centres and self-help groups, as well as questionnaires enabling people to assess their own risk of addiction. They must also check the identity of people wishing to enter their establishment and may refuse them access without giving any reason. In this way, they have a decisive influence on the composition of the gaming clientele, and can keep out people who might interfere with the smooth running of the games or compromise the casino's good reputation.
In addition, casinos may, by means of a justified exclusion order communicated in writing to the person concerned, prohibit entry for a longer period to persons whom they know or should presume to be insolvent, to be in breach of their financial obligations, to be placing bets that are unrelated to their income and assets, or to be likely to disrupt the smooth running of the games. Each exclusion is entered in a register of exclusions and communicated to all Swiss gaming establishments, which must also refuse entry to persons who have been permanently excluded from one or more other casinos. The casino which has imposed such a measure must lift it as soon as the cause giving rise to it has ended and a request to this effect has been made by the player concerned.
The casino you are referring to is not therefore obliged to give you a valid reason for refusing to let you in. However, in view of the length of time you have been refused entry, it would be advisable to contact the casino's management for an explanation, as such a refusal should be the subject of a reasoned, written decision. If you are refused, you can contact the Federal Gaming Board.
