A South Korean problem gambler who put down over 30 billion won (US$34.2 million) in wagers between 2003 and 2006 at the Kangwon Land casino has appealed for a higher damages award than that already granted by the courts, reports Agence France Presse.
The sixty-seven-year-old former company boss, identified only as Chung, is suing the casino for allegedly fuelling his addiction. In his latest action he is appealing for greater damages than the 2.8 billion won he was awarded by a court in November last year.
Chung claims the government-run casino turned a blind eye to him making bets above the legitimate limit. He has first started gambling on a visit to the casino six years ago, and believed he could recoup his losses by placing more bets. As his addiction grew, he became increasingly desperae and reckless, trying to circumvent the 10 million won per bet limit by hiring up to five people as subordinate betters so he could wager up to 60 million won at a time.
He is currently undergoing weekly therapy for his gambling addiction.
Lawyers for the casino claim Chung lost his fortune in a ‘voluntary and normal way.’