In a controversial case emerging from Atlantic City, a New Jersey woman is claiming that Bally’s Casino is refusing to pay out her $1.2 million jackpot win, citing a malfunction in the slot machine. The incident, as reported by 6abc Philadelphia, revolves around Roney Beal, 72, who alleges she won the substantial prize in February while playing the popular “Wheel of Fortune” slot machine at Bally’s Casino.
This is not an isolated incident in the world of gambling. Disputes between gamblers and casinos are fairly common, with AskGamblers reporting over 8,000 complaints in 2023 alone. Despite this, casinos continue to attract a large number of visitors, with over 100 million people visiting U.S. casinos in the same year.
Beal shared her account of the experience, recalling the moment the machine declared her a winner with a series of celebratory animations. “It went off, said I was a winner, and gold coins popped out,” she recounted. “This very nice man said, ‘Oh my God, you hit it big!’ He told me, ‘Lady, you’re a millionaire.’”
However, according to Beal, the joy was short-lived as a “tilt” message appeared on the machine, indicating a malfunction.
The situation escalated rapidly when a casino employee informed Beal that her win was void due to the reel tilt. This explanation did not satisfy Beal and her lawyer, Mike Di Croce, who argue that the jackpot, with a multiplier, should amount to $2.56 million. The pair is preparing to file a legal complaint against Bally’s Casino and International Game Technology (IGT), the company responsible for the slot machines.
Adding another layer to the case, Di Croce intends to file an emotional distress claim exceeding $1 million, underscoring the significant impact on Beal. In response, an IGT spokesperson confirmed the company’s cooperation with the investigation. Bally’s Casino, in a statement to the New York Post, shifted blame to IGT, suggesting that the payout issue should be addressed by them.
IGT has a history of facing similar allegations. Back in 2000, a man claimed a $1.3 million win on a Wheel of Fortune machine at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, only to be denied due to a reel tilt malfunction, echoing the current situation faced by Beal.
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