A gambler who gives casino winnings to poor

WASHINGTON - A mystery man who goes by the name of “Robin Hood” gambles in Las Vegas casinos and gives his winnings to poor families, saying it was “satisfying knowing I have perhaps changed their lives”.

Along with his girlfriend - a Brazilian model who calls herself “Lady Greice” - Robin has set up a website inviting people to send in their hard-luck stories and apply for up to 30,000 pounds, the Daily Mail reported.

Since starting on his mission, the gambler has given away more than 600,000 pounds to “deserving” families, including 20,000 pounds to a family who were in debt after paying for vital drugs to treat their toddler daughter’s brain tumour.

Robin, who claims to have gambled professionally since the age of 16, said it was time to help others lead a better life.

“Most people can only dream the sort of lifestyle I have: Jets to fly me to casinos, staying in 8,000 sq ft penthouse apartments, so I wanted to give them a taste of what it is like,” he said.

“It would be easier just to hand them money but by using my skills as a blackjack player it means that I have earned the money by doing my job.”

“I always loved the film ‘Robin Hood’, particularly the original with Errol Flynn. I think Russell Crowe is great as Robin. I loved the film.”

“I thought if Robin could do that all those years ago I could do something similar in Vegas. I called myself Robin Hood 702. The 702 is the postcode for Las Vegas.”

Even the casinos are not sure of his identity.

Robin is now trying to persuade some billionaire friends to join him in giving back to those less fortunate. “I call them my Merry Men,” he said.