Gambler wins Michigan Supreme Court battle in US$3.1 million case against BetMGM
Jacqueline Davis, who sued BetMGM in 2021, has secured a 7-0 ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court in her lawsuit against the operator, reviving her claim for US$3.1 million in alleged unpaid igaming winnings.
Davis claims she won more than US$3.2 million over six days playing the operator’s Luck o’ the Roulette game. She withdrew US$100,000 in person at MGM Grand Detroit before BetMGM suspended her account, leaving the remaining balance inaccessible.
“They say it malfunctioned, but they really don’t have much evidence as to what actually happened,” Davis’ attorney Mark Granzotto told Detroit News,
BetMGM argued the winnings were the result of a game malfunction and said its contract voids payouts in such cases. Norman Ankers, an attorney for BetMGM, said in April, “…the rules and (Davis’) contract make abundantly clear that a malfunction will void all winnings and therefore, her remedy is to go before the MGCB to determine whether, in fact, there was a malfunction.”
The Supreme Court overturned lower court rulings that sided with BetMGM and returned the case to Wayne County Circuit Court.
“The Legislature enacted the LIGA (Lawful Internet Gaming Act) to legalize online gambling,” Justice Brian Zahra wrote. “We would be remiss not to acknowledge that this shift in public policy may give rise to new rights under the law. Because our existing common-law rules may be ‘adapted to current needs in light of changing times and circumstances,’ the common law is particularly well-suited to address ongoing developments arising from the LIGA.”
A BetMGM spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.
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