A woman who hit the jackpot at one of the casinos in Atlantic City intends to file a lawsuit against the property as she still awaits payment of her winnings.
As reported by NJ.com, an attorney for 72-year-old Roney Beal confirmed that the Shamong Township resident intends to sue Bally’s Atlantic City after the casino denied her the $2.55 million she believed she won playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine.
According to the attorney, Mike Di Croce, Beal intends to file the suit within two weeks.
Bally’s AC patron ‘devastated’ with lack of jackpot payment
The issue stems to February, when Beal claims to have spent hundreds of dollars playing slot at Bally’s Atlantic City. Then, a life-changing moment took place.
While playing Wheel of Fortune, the word “jackpot” lit up after a spin. Beal took notice, as did another patron. The top prize was listed at just over $1.27 million. But with the multiplier, it doubled the prize to more than $2.55 million.
Soon after, though, casino officials told Beal that she did not actually win the jackpot. Rather, a machine malfunction occurred. Bally’s offered Beal a $350 prize for the inconvenience.
Both Bally’s and its casino game supplier, International Game Technology, have refused to make the jackpot payment.
“She’s devastated,” Di Croce told NJ.com. “She’s a 72-year-old lady who has a heart condition and had a heart attack last year.
“Imagine your mom or my mom sitting there playing this thing, thinking that she won — and I believe she did win with all these people coming up and celebrating behind her. And it said she won.”
Neither Bally’s nor IGT comment on outstanding jackpot
According to the attorney, Bally’s employees attempted to get Beal to re-spin, pointing out a “tilt” message that appeared when they opened the machine. Beal, however, refused.
On top of that, per Di Croce, Beal and her husband returned to Bally’s the next day to speak to management. She allegedly was banned from returning.
“She wanted to try to get an explanation and essentially they escorted her out,” Di Croce said to NJ.com.
“They told her to leave the casino and not come back, which is a very rude business practice for someone who had been going there for a very long time.”
Bally’s did not address the matter, saying that “we’re only the casino who houses the machine. IGT handles the payouts and would be best to get a comment from at this time.” While IGT refused to comment, the company noted that it was “cooperating with the investigation.”
