http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...citys_rich_casinos_and_gives_winnings_to.html
Las Vegas' Robin Hood 702 gambles at Sin City's rich casinos and gives winnings to the poor
By Soraya Roberts
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, December 28th 2009, 8:44 AM
Thomas/Getty
Las Vegas' Robin Hood 702 gambles at rich casinos and gives winnings to poor families he finds through his Web site.
A high-rolling gambler in Sin City has become known as the Robin Hood of Las Vegas for his habit of taking from rich casinos and giving to the poor.
The mysterious good Samaritan -- who calls himself Robin Hood 702 (the number refers to Las Vegas' postal code) -- runs a Web site on which he calls for people to tell him their money woes and then chooses who among them will receive his winnings at the casino.
"I'm going to take the dark side associated with gambling and use it for good," he told London's Daily Telegraph.
Individuals in need send their stories to the anonymous gambler's Web site, the only caveat being that the amount the person requires must not exceed $50,000.
Though he has given various television interviews, "Robin's" identity remains a secret because he always appears in shadow.
He is, however, known to be white, tall and a nondrinker. He also prefers to dress simply in jeans and a T-shirt.
Casino bigwigs reportedly regard him as a "whale," which refers to high rollers who can win and lose large sums in one night without breaking a sweat.
In what has become part of Las Vegas folklore, a year ago Robin helped a couple in debt whose toddler had developed a brain tumor.
The gambler called Kurt and Megan Kegler, who owed $35,000, at their mobile home near Detroit.
"You have been chosen," he reportedly told the Keglers. "I'm flying you to Vegas, and I'm going to win your money for you."
Kurt, 48, and Megan, 29, were taken to the airport in a stretch limo, boarded a first-class flight and arrived via Rolls-Royce at their 8,000-square-foot Palazzo hotel suite.
"Robin" met the couple and proceeded to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars at blackjack, only to quit once he had recovered $35,000. He immediately handed the chips to the Keglers, as promised.
"It completely changed everything," Megan Kegler told the Daily Telegraph.
Besides the Keglers, Robin has reportedly been seen on the Las Vegas strip handing out hundred-dollar bills. He also offered to pay for a Las Vegas holiday for the crew of Maersk Alabama, the American ship that was attacked by Somali pirates.
The do-gooder says he has received as many as 300 applications to his site in one day, and he is set to choose another lucky family to help in the new year.
Las Vegas' Robin Hood 702 gambles at Sin City's rich casinos and gives winnings to the poor
By Soraya Roberts
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, December 28th 2009, 8:44 AM
Las Vegas' Robin Hood 702 gambles at rich casinos and gives winnings to poor families he finds through his Web site.
A high-rolling gambler in Sin City has become known as the Robin Hood of Las Vegas for his habit of taking from rich casinos and giving to the poor.
The mysterious good Samaritan -- who calls himself Robin Hood 702 (the number refers to Las Vegas' postal code) -- runs a Web site on which he calls for people to tell him their money woes and then chooses who among them will receive his winnings at the casino.
"I'm going to take the dark side associated with gambling and use it for good," he told London's Daily Telegraph.
Individuals in need send their stories to the anonymous gambler's Web site, the only caveat being that the amount the person requires must not exceed $50,000.
Though he has given various television interviews, "Robin's" identity remains a secret because he always appears in shadow.
He is, however, known to be white, tall and a nondrinker. He also prefers to dress simply in jeans and a T-shirt.
Casino bigwigs reportedly regard him as a "whale," which refers to high rollers who can win and lose large sums in one night without breaking a sweat.
In what has become part of Las Vegas folklore, a year ago Robin helped a couple in debt whose toddler had developed a brain tumor.
The gambler called Kurt and Megan Kegler, who owed $35,000, at their mobile home near Detroit.
"You have been chosen," he reportedly told the Keglers. "I'm flying you to Vegas, and I'm going to win your money for you."
Kurt, 48, and Megan, 29, were taken to the airport in a stretch limo, boarded a first-class flight and arrived via Rolls-Royce at their 8,000-square-foot Palazzo hotel suite.
"Robin" met the couple and proceeded to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars at blackjack, only to quit once he had recovered $35,000. He immediately handed the chips to the Keglers, as promised.
"It completely changed everything," Megan Kegler told the Daily Telegraph.
Besides the Keglers, Robin has reportedly been seen on the Las Vegas strip handing out hundred-dollar bills. He also offered to pay for a Las Vegas holiday for the crew of Maersk Alabama, the American ship that was attacked by Somali pirates.
The do-gooder says he has received as many as 300 applications to his site in one day, and he is set to choose another lucky family to help in the new year.
