HAMILTON, Ontario, April 25 (UPI) -- A Canadian woman who stole from her employer to feed a gambling habit has sued two casinos and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.
In her lawsuit, Christine Papakyriakou of Hamilton claims the casinos and the regulatory agency turned her into a compulsive gambler, the Hamilton Spectator reports. The suit names Casino Niagara and
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort as defendants.
Papakyriakou, 52, is scheduled to be sentenced in June for stealing $7 million Canadian ($5.8 million U.S.) from Andres Wines, which is now known as Andrew Peller Ltd. Prosecutors plan to ask for a prison term.
In legal papers, Papakyriakou claims the casinos fed her habit by encouraging employees to use her first name, introducing her to celebrities and allowing her to remain at the tables for hours on end.
"The individual's own statement of claim confirms she stole money to support her lifestyle, which included gambling extensively at many places outside of Ontario including in Las Vegas and Aruba and on the Internet," said Allison Sparkes, a spokeswoman for the OLG.
