NBA’s Darrell Armstrong, NHL’s Len Barrie owe Big Casino Debts

A couple of former professional athletes/current coaches are in trouble over debts they owe to Las Vegas casinos. The two men in question are current Dallas Mavericks (National Basketball Association) assistant coach Darrell Armstrong and Victoria Grizzlies (British Columbia Hockey League) head coach Len Barrie. Here is a closer look at each man’s casino debt problems:

Len Barrie owes $2.1 Million to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Retired National Hockey League (NHL) player Len Barrie is being taken to court by the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for an alleged $2.1 million debt he owes them. According to the Bellagio, Barrie obtained $1.5 million in casino credit, which carried an 18% interest rate. He’s since paid $420k of the money, but when interest is taken into account, Bellagio lawyers say he owes around $1.7 million still. With the Bellagio legal fees that are tacked on, he is on the hook for $2.1 million.

Barrie’s biggest problem with the case is that he thinks the amount owed is too high. He stated, “We have a little dispute and we will have to see how this finishes. We don’t agree with the amount. We’ve already paid $400,000…we think the amount should be smaller.” This is just the latest trouble for the former owner of the Tampa Bay Lightening. He is also being investigated for the Bear Mountain (Vancouver, Canada) resort that he was developing, only to have it taken away after $300 million in debt was accumulated.

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Darrell Armstrong arrested for Debt owed to Harrah’s Las Vegas

Dallas Mavericks assistant coach and former NBA player Darrell Armstrong was arrested after passing bad checks to settle a $37,500 debt at Harrah’s Las Vegas. There was an outstanding warrant for his arrest, and Armstrong was picked up in a traffic stop around Marina Del Rey, California (USA). Since being arrested, Armstrong is out on $40,000 bail.

The 43-year-old is best known for the nine seasons he spent as a player for the Orlando Magic. Recently, he served as an assistant to the Dallas Mavericks during their 2010-2011 NBA Championship season.