03-12-2012 12:00 AM
Lady-like etiquette reportedly went out the window for one former Jordanian beauty queen whose 'bad behavior' at a London casino has landed her in a royal mess, according to London newspaper, The Evening Standard.
68-year-old Leila Khader was a regular at Knightsbridge's Park Tower Casino, spending close to half a million pounds there over her 24-year membership. The 'gambling queen' was well-known to staff and customers alike, earning herself the affectionate nickname of 'Auntie Leila' among some of the dealers.
But it seems it all went wrong for the millionaire socialite when, a few years ago, she was forced to make the switch from high-risk games like blackjack and poker, to the lower-cost slot machines, because of worsening arthritis.
Last year the gambling beauty was suspended from the casino following “several complaints regarding her slot machine etiquette.”
The casino later revealed it had suspended her because its 'best slot player' had refused to play when she was on the premises, after a disagreement reportedly erupted between the pair over who could use a certain machine.
Refusing to surrender without a fight, Khader took her case to the High Court in a bid to force the casino to identify her accuser, so she could bring a libel case against him.
The wealthy divorcée claims to be a “polite and well-mannered customer” and says her suspension has nothing to do with etiquette.
“Is it because I am an elderly woman? Because I am a Christian Arab, or partially disabled? I simply do not understand what I have done for me to be treated in this way, but by continuing this suspension they are facilitating this discrimination against me,” she told the Standard.
Khader believes her punishment could be the result of her in spending over the past few years.
In a final twist to the plot, an email between the company's head of compliance, Richard Wade, and casino manager, Paul Benton, last December, reportedly advises citing a general "lack of courtesy and consideration to other players," to avoid any messy explanation and to keep the more profitable customer on board.
Unfortunately for the former beauty queen, no amount of batting her lashes or pledging world peace, could help her in court.
The High Court ruled there had been "no error of law" in an earlier decision to refuse to force Grosvenor Casinos to identify the sources of the complaints.
London's sovereign slot player might now be forced to find a new casino where she can reign supreme.
Albawaba.com
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