Michigan Supreme Court to Review BetMGM’s Dispute Over $3.2 Million Winnings

Davis argues that her substantial winnings from the Luck o’ the Roulette slot game in March 2021 were legitimate, while BetMGM insists they were due to a game malfunction.

Legal Background

Davis initially filed a lawsuit which was dismissed by the Wayne County Circuit Court, citing that her claims were pre-empted by Michigan’s 2019 Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA).

The decision was supported by the Michigan Court of Appeals in September 2023. According to LIGA, the Michigan Gaming Control Board oversees such matters, but Davis contends that the board lacks the authority to resolve disputes between players and gaming operators.

Davis deposited $50 and gradually increased her bets, eventually winning $3.2 million. After withdrawing $100,000 from MGM Grand Detroit, her account was suspended, and the remaining balance was not paid out. BetMGM claims a glitch caused the winnings to be incorrectly calculated, inflating Davis’s account balance.

Davis’s Argument

Davis argues that the current legal framework in Michigan does not provide a suitable forum for resolving disputes of this nature. She was excluded from the investigation by the Michigan Gaming Control Board and was not informed of its outcome. Davis maintains she was unaware of any malfunction and was even congratulated by a BetMGM employee on her win.

BetMGM asserts that a technical error in the slot game led to incorrect win amounts being transferred to Davis’s account, thus invalidating her claims. The company argues that the winnings were not legitimate due to this malfunction.

The Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case gives Davis another chance to argue her claim for the withheld winnings. This case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future.