A high-stakes gambler’s lawsuit against MGM Resorts looks to be going forward to a jury trial after a Nevada federal judge recently denied a summary judgment in the case.
California real estate developer and former sports agent Dwight Manley alleged his drink was spiked with ketamine while playing high-limit blackjack at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in December 2021. He filed a $75 million lawsuit against the company in 2023. He allegedly sustained injuries and saw his credit line increased by millions of dollars while under the influence.
“I find that plaintiff has offered evidence to create a genuine issue of fact that the cocktail he was served by defendant’s employee was poisoned such that he was incapacitated at the time he entered into the credit instrument at issue,” Judge Miranda Du said at a Feb. 25 hearing. “Where reasonable minds could differ on the material issues of fact, summary judgment is not appropriate.”
Ketamine Cocktail
According to the suit, Manley regularly gambled at the property from 1990 to 2021. As a result, he received VIP treatment because of his high-roller status. That included private jet travel, free premium lodging, and more.
On his last trip, Manley was accompanied by friends. The group planned to play table games and a poker tournament. After arriving, he began playing blackjack and ordered a drink. Manley claimed that’s when he was involuntarily drugged.
“Shortly after first sitting down at a blackjack table, (Manley) ordered an Old-Fashioned cocktail from the bar located at the high-limit gaming salon,” the suit notes. “Immediately upon tasting his first cocktail that was delivered … he remarked that the cocktail tasted bitter.”
According to the lawsuit, after consuming the drink, Manley became disoriented. He ended up breaking an ashtray and cutting his hand. The gambler says he didn’t notice the blood or feel pain from the injury and says casino management moved him to a different blackjack table and he continued playing.
During this time, attorneys allege MGM’s casino host allegedly told his friends that pit bosses described Manley’s play as erratic. However, he was still able to sign three markers totaling of $3.5 million to wager, according to the lawsuit.
When the group later left and attempted to go to the Venetian, friends said Manley could barely stand. Manley fell several times as he tried to walk.
After returning to California, Manley underwent a drug test, testing positive for ketamine. The tranquilizer can produce hallucinogenic effects and makes those under the influence feel disconnected and not in control.
MGM Says Gambler Simply Trying To Recoup Losses
In Du’s ruling, evidence was presented of 11 other cases of visitors who alleged they were drugged by MGM personnel.
The plaintiffs also presented evidence that MGM violated the company’s responsible gaming practices. They showed the company knowingly served alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated patron. Those patrons were permitted to gamble.
Du also agreed with another judge’s finding granting Manley’s request for the reopening of discovery to depose five additional people in the case. Manley offered a $1 million reward for truthful information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person who allegedly drugged him.
MGM denied the allegations. They argued the ketamine test covered a two-month period, not just a few days.
Furthermore, the company argued that Manely’s reason to claim he was drugged was to get out of paying his $3 million markers. Manley hasn’t tried to pay off his casino debt said, according to MGM’s legal team.
Du is expected to set a trial date in the coming weeks after a settlement conference between the two parties.
The development is the latest of several gambling-related lawsuits. A former Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations agent has filed a lawsuit against the state alleging he was fired for questioning if an investigation into illegal gambling at Iowa State and the University of Iowa was legal.
In California, following major changes to how cardrooms can run blackjack games, a group of cardroom owners recently sued the state to block the new rules.
