Iowa Gambler Sues Louisiana Casinos, Police Over Alleged Advantage Player Targeting

Eric Michael Temeyer of Iowa has filed a nine-count federal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana alleging civil rights violations, illegal searches, and civil conspiracy against Golden Nugget Lake Charles, L'Auberge Lake Charles, and several law enforcement officers.

The incident began on November 2, 2025, when Temeyer spent nearly ten hours playing blackjack at L'Auberge, accumulating approximately $2,800 in chips. When he attempted to cash out, a cashier refused to process the transaction without identification. Temeyer declined to provide ID and left the property.

He then visited Golden Nugget Lake Charles nearby, where security staff also requested identification. After Temeyer refused, employees instructed him to leave. In the parking lot, police officers approached Temeyer as he stood by his vehicle. According to the complaint, when an officer requested identification, Temeyer asked about legal grounds for the request. He was subsequently handcuffed, searched, and his driver's license was seized. A Golden Nugget security employee photographed both his license and license plate. An officer allegedly entered Temeyer's vehicle without permission to check the VIN. Temeyer was not placed in a police vehicle and was released without charges around 3:36 a.m.

Later that day, Temeyer returned to L'Auberge to collect his winnings. While a cashier initially requested identification, the employee completed the transaction after a phone call without requiring documentation. Temeyer interprets this as evidence that casino staff had already obtained and shared his personal information.

The lawsuit centers on Louisiana law prohibiting licensed gambling establishments from refusing service to customers based solely on their gambling ability. Temeyer argues the casinos targeted him as an advantage gambler to restrict his access. While the complaint does not explicitly mention card counting, it addresses the broader issue of targeting skilled players. Card counting itself remains legal; the violation alleged involves refusing service based on playing prowess.

A secondary concern raised involves potential information-sharing among casinos regarding skilled gamblers through internal security systems, which could systematically limit their access across multiple properties.

Temeyer seeks compensatory and punitive damages plus attorney's fees, though no specific monetary amount was specified in the filing.

This case highlights a continuing tension in gaming regulation between operator interests in protecting house advantage and player rights under state law. Louisiana's regulatory framework explicitly addresses this balance, distinguishing it from many other jurisdictions where casinos retain broader discretion to exclude skilled players. The lawsuit raises questions about law enforcement's appropriate role in what are fundamentally commercial disputes and the protocols governing personal data sharing between casino security and police.