Crown London Aspinalls casino sued by Malaysian tycoon who lost $5.3M for not forcing him to stop gambling

A tycoon has sued a UK casino for not stopping a marathon gambling session which led the man to lose millions. Lim Han Joeh, non-executive director of energy and infrastructure Malaysia-based company Yinson, owes about £4 million ($5.3 million) lent to him during a three-day card game.

The executive is suing Crown London Aspinalls casino for £3.9 million ($5.2 million), accusing it of causing him to lose the millionaire sum in a 72-hour card game, reports Malaysia Now. The suit pertains to credit of close to £4 million provided to him by the venue during the card game session, held in 2015. 

Lim lost the game and failed to return the amount, leading the casino to sue him four years later for the money he had lost but not paid, in a case which Aspinalls won. The judge also ruled that Lim was in contempt of court for breaching four court orders, leading to a £100,000 ($132,000) fine.

However, in the new suit, Lim claims the private members' club Aspinalls breached the UK’s Gambling Act 2005, which states “vulnerable people should be protected from being harmed or exploited by gambling.”

“Rather than forcing the claimant to stop and rest, Aspinalls increased his credit to £2 million,” The Daily Mail quotes from a court filing by Lim. “The claimant had a losing streak and was visibly desperate and panicked,” it further reads. 

The filing says the casino “took advantage of the claimant’s distressed attempts to claw back the losses” by allowing further funds and more time to gamble”. The executive played double chance baccarat in his marathon session.

Lim Han Joeh, non-executive director of Yinson

Lim joined the casino in 2014 and was allowed to cash cheques up to the value of £600,000 ($805,000). After he lost that sum, Aspinalls is said to have increased his credit to £1.9 million ($2.5 million) and then allowed him £2 million ($2.6 million) more in credit, which he also lost.

According to a High Court writ cited by The Daily Mail, Lim played for 72 hours with “limited breaks.” The man, who owns property in Malaysia and London, is said to be worth £40 million ($53.7 million) and has business interests in property, steel and computer chip manufacturing.

Lim, who is suing the casino at the High Court in London for his losses, claims any debts or loans should be null and void because of Aspinalls’ alleged breaching of its duties under gambling legislation.

Aspinalls has now said it is “defending this matter” and is “seeking that the claim be struck out.” The exclusive club further told local media that, as the matter is currently under consideration by the court, it will “await their decision” and not comment further.

Aspinalls (or Aspinall’s) is a private gambling club established by gambling and society figure John Aspinall in 1962, at 27-28 Curzon Street, Mayfair, London. It is located on the site of the former White Elephant Club, a popular dining destination for Hollywood stars and London's elite, and is currently owned by Australian gaming giant Crown Resorts.