Gaming News

Woman addicted to slots sentenced to house arrest

WINDSOR, Ontario -- As reported by The Windsor Star: "A 72-year-old bookkeeper who embezzled more than $1.28 million from three local real estate companies to feed a slot machine gambling addiction was sentenced Friday to two years less a day on house arrest.

"Over seven years, Sally Styles wrote cheques to herself in the course of doing the books for Manor Realty, Re/Max Capital Inc. and Bob Pedler Real Estate. In March the companies discovered Styles had taken $517,000 from Pedler, $434,000 from Manor Realty and $329,000 from Re/Max Capital in frauds dating back to September 2001.

"...The Court heard the Windsor grandmother was addicted to the slot machines at Caesars, formerly Casino Windsor. She would spend 30 to 40 hours a week playing penny, nickel and quarter slots, wiling away her days losing her employers' money. Defence lawyer Brian Dube gave the court a letter from Caesars' credit manager showing that, beginning in 2003, Styles lost an average of about $200,000 a year at the casino. She was one of the casino's favourite customers, getting a Prestige card that entitled her to freebies afforded high rollers.

"...In a barely audible voice Styles pleaded guilty Friday to three charges of fraud over $5,000. Her three former employers are suing her civilly, but with Styles having only $80,000 in assets, they are unlikely to recoup more than a small fraction of what she stole, court heard..."

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