A $3.5-billion class action lawsuit has been launched on behalf of thousands of addicted gamblers who say they asked to be barred from Ontario's casinos, but were still allowed in. We swear this is real.

The suit was filed against the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation on Tuesday in Toronto, claiming that the corporation did not do enough for those who signed up for "self-exclusion," a program that allows people to have themselves banned from casinos so that they can curb their ruinous gambling habits.

Those who sign up for the program are photographed and registered, and their information is stored in binders at every provincial casino. If they are caught trying to enter a casino, they can be arrested for trespassing.

But gamblers who spoke with CBC News on condition of anonymity said the program doesn't work. One woman said she registered for the program, but her gambling addiction led her back to a casino soon after.

"I walked through, no one looked at me," she said. "I kept gambling for the next couple of years."

Lawyers say the OLG should be using high-tech systems to catch self-banned gamblers. In the Netherlands, gamblers present photo identification at casinos, and their identification is checked against a computer database, lawyers say.

Lawyer Jerome Morris said the suit is designed to help addicted gamblers who have lost large sums of money, and their families. But he also hopes the suit will bring about changes at casinos across the continent.

"[We hope it sets] a precedent that not only benefits all members, but that will benefit anyone who is subject to the dangers of gaming in North America," he said.

Ontario has settled nine individual lawsuits pertaining to self-exclusion, but has never been hit with a large class-action suit.

The OLG has argued in the past that it is ultimately up to the gamblers themselves to stay away from casinos, although the corporation has expressed interest in obtaining facial recognition technology to improve its screening process.

I can't comment on whether someone can be addicted to gambling or not, as I haven't experienced this myself ( I have been in a casino, and found it kind of noisy and boring). But I don't understand the lawsuit. People who are addicted to alcohol can't sue the liquor store for selling to them.

While I can understand that the people involved gave thier information to the casinos and asked that they be denied entrance, they need to take at least some of thwe responsibility for thier own actions. They chose to go to the casino, etc. and gamble. No one forced them in kicking and screaming.

If the people involved in the lawsuit really want to make me believe that they are suing the govn't for the right reasons, they should donate any funds awarded to a worthy cause (e.g.- groups that help provide support to people with a gambling addiction).

People need to take some responsibility for thier lives, and not always try to balme others for the actions that they take.

Glad to hear they aren't going to be watching....I'm off to the craps tables!!!!