A Burlington, Ontario man has launched a $3.5 million civil suit against Casino Rama, the Rama Police, and six individual defendants. His allegations include “negligence” and “excessive force” in relation to his forcible removal from the casino premises.
In his lawsuit, plaintiff Daniel Dobson says that casino security and local police caused him long-lasting injuries and that the degree of force they used wasn’t justified by the circumstances. Dobson also claims police subjected him to false criminal charges and false arrest and imprisonment after the incident at the casino, which took place in late 2022.
As reported by Orillia Matters, Dobson filed his claim in November 2024 with the Newmarket Ontario Superior Court of Justice. In addition to Casino Rama and the Rama Police Service Board, defendants include Gateway Casinos and Entertainment and Rama police chief Jerel Swamp.
Dobson also named a Rama police officer and several casino guards in the suit:
- Evan Gorman (Rama police officer)
- Hayden Kennedy (Casino Rama security guard)
- Wayne Stanley Havill (Casino Rama security guard)
- Dale Donnie Recollet (Casino Rama security guard)
Lawsuit claims denial of constitutional rights
According to Dobson’s statement of claim, he was the victim of numerous harms, including the infringement of his constitutional rights:
At all material times, Daniel was an unarmed patron of Casino Rama. Daniel pleads that he was a victim of negligence, negligent use of excessive force, negligent investigation, false arrest, laying false charges, false imprisonment, intentional and/or negligent infliction of mental distress, malicious prosecution, and infringement or denial of his constitutional rights.
In the statement, Dobson alleges his head “was slammed hard” against the ground when he was “violently tackled to the floor” by casino security.
After a security guard claimed Dobson bit him during the incident, Rama police became involved. At that point, per the statement of claim, an officer allegedly shackled Dobson’s feet.
The statement further alleges that while carrying Dobson from the casino, one of the officers “suddenly and violently” slammed Dobson’s head to the floor. An officer has claimed Dobson again engaged in biting.
After police removed Dobson from the casino, they transported him to the Orillia OPP detachment. There, the statement alleges, Dobson, who was “bleeding heavily and in a lot of pain,” asked for medical attention. According to his legal filing, Dobson received no medical treatment.
Dobson faces criminal charges
Dobson faces extensive criminal charges stemming from the Casin Rama incident:
- Four counts of threatening death or bodily harm,
- Two counts of assault,
- One count of obstructing police, and
- One count of assaulting a police officer
A judge will set a trial date for Dobson’s criminal charges at an upcoming court date in early April.
Defendants have yet to file a statement of defence in the civil matter.
Casino Rama and Gateway Casinos spokesperson Robert Mitchell declined to comment to media about the case.
Attempts to contact the remaining defendants were unsuccessful.
Uninvited moose also removed from Rama grounds
Earlier this week, Casino Rama evicted another unwanted guest after a misguided moose wandered onto the property.
According to media reports, the moose found its way into a fenced-in area, causing a stir among casino workers and guests alike. Many assumed the animal must have been injured.
However, in an Instagram post shared Tuesday, Rama police informed the public that the moose appeared in good health. Still, according to the update, the moose would be assessed further at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
In the post, Rama Police thanked Dr. Sherri Cox from the National Wildfire Centre for “assisting with the safe removal of the moose at Casino Rama.” Other recipients of the department’s appreciation were officials from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Casino Rama security, town security and grounds department staff.
There is no word on whether the moose also intends to sue.
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