Fury of disabled woman banned from casino

12:40pm Monday 20th August 2012 in News

Marian Brooke Marian Brooke

A DISABLED woman has been left outraged after being banned from a city casino – because staff apparently thought she was drunk.

Marian Brook was spending a night with friends in the Genting Club in Terminus Terrace when she suffered a severe attack of vertigo.

The fit caused “severe room spins” and left Marian feeling nauseous and dehydrated.

The 54-year-old, who is on medication to combat Meniere’s disease, which causes her to have two or three severe bouts of vertigo every month, had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance after passing out inside the venue.

But Marian was left stunned when she returned to the casino for her daughter’s birthday just weeks later, only for doormen to tell her that she had been suspended.

Wheelchair-user, Marian, who also suffers from cerebral palsy and can only walk short distances, told the Daily Echo that she has been “discriminated against.”

She claims that staff at the casino have failed to give her a proper explanation for the ban, despite being a loyal member at the casino for 25 years.

Marian, who is the chairman for disability charity, Southampton Action for Access, said: “I was shocked when they told me I was suspended. I honestly thought they were messing around.

“I was upset because I’ve done nothing wrong and no one will tell me what they have suspended me for.

“The casino has recently been taken over and there are a lot of new staff who don’t know about my condition.

They probably think I was being drunk and disorderly, but every time I try and phone the manager to explain, they say she’s on holiday.

“I will probably never go in there again. I’m just fighting this out of principle now and sticking up for other disabled people in Southampton.”

Comments(15)

Chas O'Bursledon says...
1:21pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Let's see if this gets a reaction from the casino! It's owners are arrogant, selfish and seem unable to accept that "abled" people are nothing special just different. Let's start from the perspective that all "abled" people are freaks - what a shocking thought! That makes all "disabled" people normal. We can enjoy watching normal people perform in the Paralympics in the next few weeks. What am I saying? There is no such thing as abled or disabled. All that separates us is the way we get around and how different things affect our daily lives. Our hopes, desires and needs are all basicallythe same. Revoke the casino's licence. Teach all of them the lesson.

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Big Mac says...
1:41pm Mon 20 Aug 12

It's only the roulette table that's allowed to spin, everyone knows that.

Some simple face-to-face talking should easily sort it out.

My bet is that the casino staff weren't aware of all the details.

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userds5050 says...
1:58pm Mon 20 Aug 12

They did the same thing to Raymond Babbitt in Rain man. When will these casinos learn it's not ok to discriminate againt the disabled. She probably took them for thousands at the black jack table and they just want rid.

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Frank28 says...
3:30pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Perhaps the casino should familiarise itself with the Equality Act.

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George4th says...
3:45pm Mon 20 Aug 12

If the lady advised the desk of her condition when she registered her entry then I sympathise with her. (or later when she realised there were lots of new staff).

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Huffter says...
4:45pm Mon 20 Aug 12

You are not obliged to give a reason for refusing to serve somebody - without a reason there is no proof that discrimination has occurred.

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userds5050 says...
6:22pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Huffter wrote:
You are not obliged to give a reason for refusing to serve somebody - without a reason there is no proof that discrimination has occurred.
No you don't, but now the facts have been established the lady would like an apology from the casino. You are aware of the act of apologising to someone when you are in the wrong?

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dolomiteman says...
6:34pm Mon 20 Aug 12

Maybe the Echo should have followed up this story like a proper newspaper would have done by phoning the manager of the casino and they would have found out the real reason why the manager will not speak Mrs Brook, the reason is because she is on holiday!

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Huffter says...
7:01pm Mon 20 Aug 12

userds5050 wrote:
Huffter wrote: You are not obliged to give a reason for refusing to serve somebody - without a reason there is no proof that discrimination has occurred.
No you don't, but now the facts have been established the lady would like an apology from the casino. You are aware of the act of apologising to someone when you are in the wrong?
Quite aware thank you. You obviously know all the facts.

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userds5050 says...
7:30pm Mon 20 Aug 12

dolomiteman wrote:
Maybe the Echo should have followed up this story like a proper newspaper would have done by phoning the manager of the casino and they would have found out the real reason why the manager will not speak Mrs Brook, the reason is because she is on holiday!
So there's no one running the place while she's on holiday is there. Oh and Huffter are you calling Marian Brook a liar? Do one you cretin. I hate it when people pick on the disabled.

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gillyman says...
8:17pm Mon 20 Aug 12

myself and a few mates have been organising a get together at a casino for a night out could not decide which one to go to know which one we wont go to

as i suspect the others may also offer customer service

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dolomiteman says...
11:22pm Mon 20 Aug 12

userds5050 wrote:
dolomiteman wrote:
Maybe the Echo should have followed up this story like a proper newspaper would have done by phoning the manager of the casino and they would have found out the real reason why the manager will not speak Mrs Brook, the reason is because she is on holiday!
So there's no one running the place while she's on holiday is there. Oh and Huffter are you calling Marian Brook a liar? Do one you cretin. I hate it when people pick on the disabled.
There are assistant mangers and duty managers but it up to the casino manager to deal with any complaints.

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dolomiteman says...
11:28pm Mon 20 Aug 12

J.P.M wrote:
Has anyone else noticed that energy saving bulbs are a nuisance.

They attract insects like a "full fat" bulb, but they don't kill them quickly.
Lower amps = lower temperature?
Has anyone noticed that troll John is a nuisance, he is attracted by stories he doesn't have the iq to comment on but the editor doesn't kill him quick enough. J.P.M = troll?

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dolomiteman says...
11:28pm Mon 20 Aug 12

J.P.M wrote:
Has anyone else noticed that energy saving bulbs are a nuisance.

They attract insects like a "full fat" bulb, but they don't kill them quickly.
Lower amps = lower temperature?
Has anyone noticed that troll John is a nuisance, he is attracted by stories he doesn't have the iq to comment on but the editor doesn't kill him quick enough. J.P.M = troll?

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userds5050 says...
11:32pm Mon 20 Aug 12

If that's true then it's a pathetic way to run a business. Also the casino usually sends a letter out if your membership has been revoked. Sure she's always welcome at the Grosvenor ;)

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