Gambler Claims Wife may have Ebola, Faces Charges for “Inducing Panic”

Pete - Friday, October 17, 2014, Written by- Friday, October 17, 2014, Live poker

We all say and do ridiculous things when we’re on tilt, but one Cleveland based grinder took the word stupid to a whole new level this week by announcing at his local casino that his wife may have had contact with Ebola.

The elderly man, after what was described as a “bad night of gambling”, allegedly declared at his table that his wife was a nurse and had been to West Africa, where the contagious disease has tragically claimed thousands of lives in 2014.

His wife is not in fact a nurse, had not been to Africa, and neither of them have Ebola. This was confirmed when police – having received a tip off from a witness who noted the man’s license plate – arrested him at his home.

Police later stated that it’s likely the man will face charges for “inducing panic”, despite there being no disruption to the casino’s operations that evening.

The state of Cleveland had an Ebola scare when nurse Amber Vincent – who was potentially contagious with the disease – stopped off at Cleveland Airport en route to Dallas.

Thirteen-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth was reportedly offered a spot on popular reality TV show “Wife Swap”, but claimed he had to turn it down because his wife wasn’t willing to take part.

“Have an offer to be on ABC television show 'Wife Swap,' but wife won't do it! Though I'm sure she would look amazing! #WifeIsAwesome”, said Hellmuth on Twitter.

The Poker Brat also spoke to PokerNews about the opportunity:

“It's pretty cool to get that offer. I would love to do it. That kind of stuff is fun for me and I feel like it's a chance for the world to see me, to see the real me.”

“I think too often people think I'm a jerk. If they see me on that show over two weeks – never lose my temper, never swear, a lot of patience – I think they would say, 'Wow, this is the Phil that we've never seen before,' but this is the real Phil.”

Hellmuth is currently still in Melbourne, after what was a disappointing WSOP APAC series that failed to yield a record fourteenth bracelet.