Gambler arrested in Bell Gardens casino, allegedly spit in dealer's face
A man who seemingly has difficulty keeping a poker face was arrested Sunday evening after allegedly spitting in a dealer’s face at the Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens.
Mesbah Khaffaji, 52, was gambling Sunday night at a no-limit hold’em poker table when he became upset and spit food on the dealer’s glasses, police said.
“We can only assume because he lost a hand,” said Sgt. Brendan Kirkpatrick of the Bell Gardens Police Department.
Khaffaji was detained by casino security until police arrived around 7 p.m. and arrested him on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.
Kirkpatrick said it wasn’t the first time a disgruntled gambler had taken out frustrations on a dealer.
“Is it often? No. Does it happen? Yes,” Kirkpatrick said. “People get heated. Large sums of money lost; people can’t control their emotions.”
-- Robert Faturechi
EDITOR'S PICKS:
This is why we don't need any of these casinos around. Addiction to gambling has become the new drug. It is destroying lives. The only ones that benefit are the casino owners. They are getting rich.
Posted by: JB | August 16, 2010 at 12:12 PM
Why not say the name of the casino????
Posted by: latimesreader | August 16, 2010 at 12:39 PM
What types of charges is he facing?
Posted by: eric | August 16, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Kirkpatrick said. “People can’t control their emotions.” Kirkpatrick said.
If that's the case, then these people shouldn't be allowed back in the casino for a specific amount of time (minimum a month) until they get their acts together.
Posted by: Kittybarfola | August 16, 2010 at 01:06 PM
When people lose, it not their fault. it's the casinos. Nobody put a gun to their head to gamble. With this chump, the ought to put him in stocks and have people spit in his face. One of the worst air runs is the Vegas to Lax. Losing gambler have the tendency to blame everyone because they lost their money. To combat this the airlines just give back their airfare and tell them to find another carrier. They don't problems in the air.
Posted by: rollbert johnson | August 16, 2010 at 02:18 PM
52 years old! Wow, just wow. What's wrong with people nowadays? Seriously.
Posted by: Jess | August 16, 2010 at 02:35 PM
well JB is obv ignorant and decides that the minority gives the majority a bad impression.
Posted by: JB Hater | August 16, 2010 at 02:58 PM
There's only 1 casino in Bell Gardens, it's the Bike.
Posted by: John | August 16, 2010 at 10:08 PM
That's Just wrong. The dealer is just putting out the cards. They have no influence on the game. If a player can't control them selves they shouldn't play. If i was the Bike i would ban that player.
Posted by: Ice Tbone | August 17, 2010 at 09:24 AM
eric - If you read the entire 5-6 lines of this story (JEEZ!!), you will find out that the charge is misdemeanor battery!!
Posted by: Meck | August 17, 2010 at 09:48 AM
I hate such players! If you don't know hot to play no-limit hold’em poker and can't control your emotions don't play it!
Posted by: Gambler | September 10, 2010 at 01:01 AM
Its a top story.. Lemme tweet it.
Posted by: Full Tilt Referral Code | April 23, 2011 at 04:08 AM