The Ritz Club of London has prevailed in a high court case to collect on a check for more than £2 million written on 19 February 2014 by a billionaire “gambling addict”. Safa Abdulla Al-Geabury must also pay daily interest on the returned item.

The gambler exchanged the check for roulette chips but it was returned to the casino unpaid. Al-Geabury does not deny writing the check but claims that over four years earlier he had excluded himself from the casino for life.

Counsel for the accused argues that the casino was in breach of their license by allowing his client to gamble. Al-Geabury claims to have already excluded himself from Aspinalls Club, Grosvenor Casinos and all
London Clubs International operated venues.

In case he were to lose the decision, he counter sued for all sums lost in the casino since his self exclusion.

The judge dismissed his argument and stated, “The defendant’s claims fail and are dismissed,” she added, “He was the author of his own misfortunes.”