Gambler sues for $500K after playing drunk

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LAS VEGAS — Nevada gamblers lost nearly $20 million on Super Bowl bets last month. But one man, who was playing table games while others were focused on the football championship, is trying to get back $500,000 he lost at a Las Vegas casino that weekend.

Southern California retiree Mark Johnston is suing the Downtown Grand for loaning him money and allowing him to play while he was blackout drunk.

Nevada law bars casinos from allowing visibly drunk patrons to gamble and from serving them comped drinks.

Johnston’s attorney Sean Lyttle says the Grand, which opened late last year, is countersuing Johnston for trying to shirk his gambling debts. The Grand did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The state Gaming Control Board is investigating.