GOP activist Dr. Daniel Harrop last year sued to challenge the constitutionality of the Rhode Island law that legalized sports betting. His lawsuit was tossed out by Superior Court Judge Brian Stern on the grounds that he lacked standing as a plaintiff since he couldn’t show that he had suffered any harm from the law.
Harrop returned a week later with an amended complaint and a new plaintiff: himself. He disclosed that he made a bet on a New England Patriots game and lost money. So he was harmed by the law!
The onetime candidate for mayor of Providence says he bet on the Patriots to win last December at the Twin River Tiverton Casino. The team lost, and the plaintiff “lost the bet and was harmed thereby.” How much he lost is undisclosed, as is which game he bet on—although given the New England football team’s record last year, there are only two possibilities.
The Rhode Island legislature approved a law last year legalizing sports betting. The first wagers were put down on the day after Thanksgiving. The state several weeks ago unveiled its sports betting app.
Harrop—or rather his lawyers Joe Larisa Jr. and Brandon Bell—are following up on a door that was left open by Stern’s ruling to dismiss the lawsuit.
The attorneys will return to court on the case September 23.
