A recent ruling by a District Court judge in Rhode Island has determined that a casino cannot be held responsible for the robbery and assault of one of its patrons. The case involved Edward Peduto, who was followed by criminals from the Bally’s Twin River Casino in Lincoln to a gas station about 50 miles away. At the gas station, he was robbed of an undisclosed sum of money and assaulted, resulting in medical expenses totaling $46,212.
Peduto’s legal team argued that the casino had failed to adequately protect its patrons by not monitoring the gaming floor closely enough and not ensuring their safety from potential violence. However, the judge dismissed these claims, noting that the individuals who robbed Peduto did not commit any crimes at the casino and that video footage did not show any indication of their intentions.
Judge Burroughs emphasized that the responsibility for a person’s safety depends on whether harm is predictable and preventable. In this case, the location of the robbery meant that it was not the casino’s responsibility. Incidents of this nature are not uncommon, with many individuals falling victim to robberies after leaving a casino with their winnings. The lawsuit highlighted at least eight similar incidents involving the same property since January 2019.
Overall, the ruling serves as a reminder that casinos may not always be held liable for crimes that occur off their premises, even if they involve their patrons. It underscores the importance of personal safety measures and vigilance when leaving a casino, as well as the need for individuals to take precautions to protect themselves in potentially risky situations.