Gambler Sues Casinos Over Alleged Data Sharing
A federal complaint alleges Lake Charles casinos and police targeted a skilled blackjack player and shared his personal information.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Gambling
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Eric Michael Temeyer filed a nine-count federal complaint on November 3 in the Western District of Louisiana against Golden Nugget Lake Charles, L'Auberge Lake Charles, and several law enforcement officers. He alleges civil rights violations, illegal searches, and civil conspiracy after a November 2 blackjack session.
Why it matters
The complaint alleges Louisiana law does not permit licensed gambling establishments to refuse service to customers because they are skilled at gambling. The case raises questions about how casinos and police may share customer information in the Lake Charles area.
The complaint lists nine causes of action, and the disputed transaction involved about $2,800 in blackjack chips. Whether the casinos' actions were lawful under Louisiana gambling rules remains unresolved in the filing.
The players
Eric Michael Temeyer
The blackjack player who filed the complaint, alleging he was targeted for his gambling skill.
Golden Nugget Lake Charles
A Lake Charles casino owned by Landry's, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
L'Auberge Lake Charles
A Lake Charles casino owned by Penn Entertainment's regional operations, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The details
Temeyer alleges officers handcuffed him in the Golden Nugget parking lot, searched his pockets, and took his driver's license, which a Golden Nugget security employee photographed along with his license plate and car. He was released around 3:36 a.m. without a ticket or criminal charges.
Timeline
November 2, 2025: Temeyer played blackjack at L'Auberge from about 5 p.m. until about 2:40 a.m.
November 3, 2025: Temeyer filed the federal lawsuit.
Legal Context
The lawsuit asks a federal court to weigh whether Louisiana's casino licensing framework bars operators from refusing service to skilled gamblers. The outcome could clarify how far casinos may go in restricting high-skill players under state law.
Players at Lake Charles casinos may face different service policies depending on how the court rules on the complaint. Anyone bringing large chip amounts to cash out should expect to be asked for identification.
The takeaway
Casino customers should understand that cashier identification requirements and security procedures can vary by property and may be contested in court. Keeping records of any service refusal can help if a dispute arises.
Further reading
For more on casino rules and player disputes, see the Gambling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GamblingNews.
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