Casino winner had been banned

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man who won more than $9,000 at an Iowa casino can't collect his winnings because he was banned from the casino 10 years earlier, the state Supreme Court ruled today.

The court found that Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona “had the authority to withhold winnings from a person who had been involuntary excluded.”

The case involved Troy Blackford, who won $9,387 on May 5, 2006. Because of the size of the jackpot, Prairie Meadows had to issue a W-2 immediately for tax purposes. Casino officials then learned that Blackford had been banned in 1996.

According to court documents, Blackford had been issued a “trespass ban” because he hit and damaged a slot machine. The ban, according to Prairie Meadows, was permanent.

Blackford pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and paid a fine. He was found at the casino in March 1998 and was escorted out. He pleaded guilty to trespassing and paid another fine.

When Blackford hit the jackpot in 2006, Prairie Meadows' records indicated that he was still banned. He was escorted to the security office and his winnings were confiscated.

Blackford filed a petition against the casino to recover damages.

A Polk County district court concluded that Prairie Meadows had the authority to confiscate winnings from patrons who are banned.

Blackford appealed. The Iowa Court of Appeals reversed the lower court's ruling and ordered a new trial, saying it found no statutory provision allowing the casino to confiscate Blackford's winnings.

The casino appealed. The Iowa Supreme Court agreed with the lower court.

The ruling makes clear that banned customers should stay away, said attorney Dennis Ogden, who represented the casino.

“It essentially sends a message to people who've been banned from casinos that they aren't going to be able to come in and win any money,” he said.

Blackford’s attorney, Ryan Beattie, said they were disappointed in the court’s ruling.

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