Bally’s Atlantic City To Explain Why $1.2M Jackpot Wasn’t Paid
Bally’s Atlantic City To Explain Why $1.2M Jackpot Wasn’t Paid
Table of Contents
A woman claims she won a $1.2 million jackpot at Bally’s Atlantic City, while Bally’s and IGT assert that a slot malfunction invalidated her win. A legal dispute regarding this incident is ongoing.
- A woman asserts she hit a $1.2 million jackpot at Bally’s Atlantic City.
- Bally’s and IGT argue that a malfunction in the slot machine occurred.
- Legal proceedings concerning the matter are now underway.
Bally’s Atlantic City and slot machine manufacturer IGT have been granted 30 days by a federal court to provide explanations regarding the non-payment of a jackpot totaling $1,277,954.35, which was allegedly won in February 2024.
The plaintiff, Roney Beal, 73, from Shamong Township, NJ, contends that she and her husband, Richard Beal, have been loyal patrons of Bally’s Atlantic City. In her federal complaint filed against the Boardwalk resort, Beal claims she was an invited guest during the weekend of February 25, 2024.
On that Sunday, Beal alleges she was playing a Wheel of Fortune wide-area progressive slot machine when she hit the jackpot. However, upon the arrival of a slot attendant, Beal was informed that the machine had malfunctioned, and she did not win the prize.
The Beals then decided to sue Bally’s and IGT, claiming that IGT, as the manufacturer of the gaming terminal, is responsible for the payout of progressive jackpots.
Updates on the Case
Initially filed in state court, Beal’s complaint was moved to the federal district court in New Jersey in July 2024. This case has experienced delays for over a year, culminating in a recent ruling by Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Pascal.
Judge Pascal granted Bally’s request to ‘administratively terminate’ the plaintiff’s complaint. However, this ruling does not imply a dismissal under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. It provides Bally’s and IGT with an additional 30 days to update the court regarding the investigation by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
According to Bally’s, the NJDGE investigation remains active.
Both Bally’s and IGT claim that the Wheel of Fortune machine encountered a “Reel Tilt” during the winning spin. A reel tilt refers to a malfunction when a physical reel fails to display the intended outcome as per the machine’s internal random number generator (RNG).
This type of malfunction typically voids all plays and payouts. Beal contends that the machine was functioning correctly and showed no error message or “Reel Tilt” notification until after she hit the jackpot.
Prior to the spin in question, the machine operated normally and did not exhibit any glitches, nor did it have any issues accepting the player’s money,” Beal’s attorneys stated in her complaint.
Beal and her legal team assert that Bally’s and the DGE have “failed to provide any explanations” regarding the alleged malfunction.
Historical Context: Odds Favoring Casinos
This incident is not an isolated case; numerous casinos have refused to pay out slot winnings under claims of malfunctions. Historically, these lawsuits have generally ruled in favour of the casinos.
The New Jersey Casino Control Act mandates that all slot machines operating in Atlantic City must display clear warnings regarding technical errors that would void plays and payouts.
“Each slot machine should prominently state that a malfunction voids all pays,” states the gaming law.
A notorious case occurred in August 2016 at Resorts World New York City, where a woman mistakenly believed she won a jackpot of nearly $43 million. However, the video lottery terminal had a maximum payout limit of just $6,500 and had malfunctioned, leading to her only receiving a complimentary steak dinner instead.
In conclusion, while Roney Beal’s case against Bally’s and IGT progresses, it serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges within the world of casino gaming and its regulatory framework. The outcome of her legal battle may pave the way for more clarity and accountability within the gaming industry.
