Crystal-Lee Bodnik claims she became a victim of discrimination while she tried to visit Cascades Casino Langley in British Columbia. She shared that she was refused entry to the casino by security twice, as they thought she was drunk. However, this was not the case, as she suffers from a speech impediment, lupus and arthritis, while also being learning disabled.
The second incident dates to July 22, 2023, when the casino security refused her entry to the gaming site, as they claimed that she was intoxicated and stumbling. She tried to explain her disabilities and presented identification but was still refused entry. After that led to nothing, she requested to speak to the manager of the property.
Traumatic Experience
In a recent interview with a media outlet, Ms. Bodnik said that she felt she was singled out because of the way she talks, which is not her fault. She shared that the experience was quite traumatizing for her. Meanwhile, when asked to provide a comment on the situation, Cascades Casino Langley commented that it is looking into the incident.
Tanya Gabara, Director of Public Relations for Gateway Casinos and Entertainment Limited which owns and operates the casino, said the company was reaching out to the customer and is looking to collect all the facts of the situation and take any learnings into consideration for future customer interactions to avoid similar incidents in the future.
However, she notes that casino staff are not the only ones who mistake her defect for intoxication, as police officers also often come to those false conclusions. That is why Ms. Bodnik is carrying medical notes explaining her condition. They are written by physicians and psychiatrists. She hands those to people who question her sobriety but is always difficult for her.
Elaine Boyd, executive director of Disability Alliance BC, remarked other disabled individuals in British Columbia are frequently believed to be intoxicated by drugs or alcohol. But she elaborated that those with limitations may suffer from speech impediments, multiple sclerosis, ataxia, cerebral palsy, and other speech and muscle-related disorders. She calls for improvements in the law and regulations to provide adequate accessibility training.
Casin Regino also Subject to Criticism
Cascades Casino Langley is not the only gaming property in Canada to be criticized for its accessibility. Back in December 2022, Casino Regina in Saskatchewan received some complaints about closing one of its entrances. Some of the property’s patrons with accessibility issues noted that the casino does not always make them feel welcome.
Andre Nogue of Age-Friendly Saskatchewan said that his wife uses a walker and due to the closure of the street entrance, she had to go through the main entrance and had to walk through the whole property to reach the Show Lounge. The closure of the entries was due to revamping some portions of the casino and the live centre.
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