On Friday, 1-11-08, I had a frightening experience at the Riviera casino in Las Vegas. It was about 3:30 in the afternoon. I went there to purchase chips. The Riviera has an area with couches and widescreen tv’s for use by members of their slot club (Club Riviera). I am a member of Club Riviera. I had been running errands all over Vegas and was tired, so I bought something to eat and went to this area. I was watching a rerun of the World Series of Poker on a widescreen TV when I was approached by a large black man. He was over 6 feet tall and close to 300 lbs. He said you can’t sleep here. I told him I wasn’t sleeping, I was watching TV. He asked if I was a guest at the casino. I said yes. He asked for my room number. I responded that I wasn’t staying at the casino. He then told me that I had lied to him, by responding that I was a guest. He said it in a very aggressive way attempting to provoke me. It was in a manner a street thug would use to provoke a fight at night in a parking lot. Afraid for my safety, I got up and started to walk away. He demanded I give him identification. I told him that I was leaving and would not give him my ID. He followed me, and said “we got your photo”. He continued calling me a liar. He said I had to leave the casino or I would be arrested. He was trying to provoke a response, so he could physically assault me. He was seeking violence. I told him that I was leaving and that my car was in the structure. I was told that I was lying and didn’t have a car and that he hoped I wouldn’t leave so I could be arrested. He walked on one side of me and another security guard joined and walked on the other side. He continued to insult me. I was escorted all the way to my car.

I have been to nearly every casino in Nevada, casinos all across the U.S., casinos in Canada and in Europe and never been treated like this and until now have never been afraid I would be assaulted by casino staff. I have visited the Riviera for 23 years, seen shows there, ate there, played their table games, poker tournaments, and attended conventions there without incident until last Friday.

I am offering $100 to anyone that can obtain a clear photo of this man. He is an extremely large black man, working security in the afternoon. Have the photo include the Riviera insignia on his jacket, if there is one. He shouldn’t be difficult to spot.

I am posting this anonymously because I am afraid. This man acted like a gang member, the kind of person who has friends that will visit people’s houses late in the night.

I set up an anonymous e-mail account for communications.

Any suggestion on who I can contact at the Riviera to complain about the incident or other casino related sites in which I can post this warning would be highly appreciated.

There are a lot of casinos in Vegas. The Riviera isn’t properly screening and training its employees and it may be best to avoid it at this time.