Casino in court over fee dispute
A Pittsburgh man and woman who alleged The Meadows Casino was illegally collecting a vigorish fee, which resulted in a civil penalty from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, were in Washington County Court Friday.
Janine Litman and Timothy Mastroianni allege during 2010 and 2011, they played table games, particularly craps, on more than 350 occasions at The Meadows. During that time, the pair claim there were published rules displayed within the casino that did not permit the collection of a fee, or vigorish, for certain bets.
The pair claim regardless of the stated rules, the casino still collected a 5 percent vigorish on all bets, according to court documents. When they brought this to the casino’s attention, the pair claim they were prosecuted in retaliation.
In March 2013, the matter went before the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, which found the casino was in violation of its stated rules and ordered that The Meadows pay a $30,000 civil penalty.
Now, Litman and Mastroianni are trying to recoup their lost money, according to their Pittsburgh-based attorney, Gregg Zegarelli. On Friday, Zegarelli appeared on Litman and Mastroianni’s behalf for a motion hearing before Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca. Zegarelli said Friday was the third time the parties have been in court over preliminary objections.
Zegarelli also argued there are questions as to who, exactly, owns the casino. He claims the casino is baiting consumers by making it look as if The Meadows is operated by a Las Vegas company, when it’s not.
“Cannery (Casino Resorts) is not a licensed operator, yet they are the advertised owner and operator of The Meadows,” he said.
In his most recent motion, Zegarelli outlined 14 separate counts of which he believes the casino is guilty.
“Now (the casino’s attorney) must answer these,” he said.
During the hearing, the casino’s attorney objected to the third amended complaint filed by Zegarelli. Zegarelli, in turn, argued that his clients were being “harassed” by the casino’s continued objections, and he filed a motion for sanctions. O’Dell Seneca rejected the casino’s objection and Zegarelli’s motion.
The casino’s attorney, Patrick Abramowich, declined comment.
A trial date for the civil matter has not been set.