Russ Appleby was refused entry to the casino on George Street in Hull and was told only and only the general manager in Bulgaria can tell him why
A sleight-of-hand magician says he was turned away from a casino in Hull without an explanation. Russ Appleby is known for posting videos showing his magic and pickpocketing attract huge audiences online. But the dad-of-two said he is “not a thief”, reports Hull Live.
He can be booked for weddings and private events, and started his own entertainment business just before Covid hit and going viral with videos of himself performing tricks. He attempted to meet friends – all fellow magicians – for a drink at the George Street casino when he was denied entry at the door.
Russ says he was given no reason for the ban from Napoleons Casino in Hull – and is left wondering if his viral videos as a professional pickpocket have influenced their decision.
He claimed that after presenting his ID at the reception desk, a member of staff called over the duty manager, who took his ID into a back room. When the manager returned, he asked Russ to speak with him privately.
Despite asking what had happened and why he was being banned, he says the duty manager would not give him a reason. Instead, he was told that the general manager was in Bulgaria and he was the only person authorised to explain the decision.
Russ said: “They said it was from 9 September, 2023. I checked my calendar and I was out performing at a wedding nowhere near Hull on that day. Every now and again I go a bit viral on social media and I wondered if they’d seen something online and they decided to ban me. I’m not a thief. I ‘steal’ stuff off people but it’s just for entertainment. It’s like banning a singer or a string quartet.”
Russ, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives in Hull, has only been to the casino chain about three times, with the last visit being about 12 years ago.
“I’d travelled down from Sedgefield after a gig and was simply meeting my mates for a drink. Every one of them were also magicians we’d been invited to Hull for the Hullusion Magic Convention the following day. We had some magic dealers over the night before. They had gone for a meal, but I was doing a wedding near Durham that day. I was going to meet them there after they had finished their meal. The casino didn’t know they were magicians as well, and there were about 12 of them in there.
“I handed over my ID as requested, and the next thing I knew I was being told I was banned from every Napoleons casino. I asked why, what had happened and whether someone could explain it to me, but I couldn’t get an answer. I was told the general manager was in Bulgaria and that he was the only person who could tell me.”
“I make a living leaving people wondering how I’ve done something. I’m used to creating mysteries but I don’t particularly enjoy being the one left in the dark. I don’t see any reason to ban me other than my job. At least I give everything back to the victims!”
Russ said he was particularly surprised to discover that the decision apparently applied to the entire casino chain, rather than just the Hull venue. He is now seeking an explanation for the decision and hopes someone at Napoleons will be able to shed some light on what happened.
Napoleons Casino, run by AS Leisure, did not provide a comment when contacted by Hull Live.