Michigan’s Top Court Reviews $3M Roulette Dispute Between Gambler and BetMGM

In the ever-evolving world of online casinos, Michigan’s highest court finds itself at the center of a notable legal battle involving $3 million in disputed online roulette earnings. Detroit local Jacqueline Davis claims she amassed millions during a remarkable five-day streak playing BetMGM’s Luck O’ the Roulette game in 2021. However, her celebration was cut short when BetMGM declared those winnings invalid, attributing the sudden boost to a software glitch.

Davis’s subsequent lawsuit hinges on her assertion that she secured over $11 million before her balance eventually dipped to $3 million—a sum she promptly attempted to withdraw. Initially, she received a $100,000 advance at the MGM Grand Detroit. When she sought the remainder, BetMGM refused, citing the alleged glitch. This controversy has thrust the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act (LIGA) into the spotlight, raising pressing questions about the act’s reach and whether it bars Davis from pursuing her case in court.

The lower courts previously sided with BetMGM, deciding that Davis’s fraud and contract claims were overridden by LIGA, which, according to them, places internet gaming disputes under the purview of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). Unyielding, Davis has contested this decision, arguing that her claims derive from common law and thus do not conflict with LIGA’s framework. Representing her case before the Michigan Supreme Court, Davis’s lawyer contended that the MGCB lacks the authority and structure to adjudicate such civil disputes, emphasizing a clause in LIGA that preserves common law claims, including those of fraud and conversion.

The intricate nature of the legal dispute was further illuminated by a brief from the MGCB itself, unexpectedly supporting Davis’s stance. The brief stated unequivocally that the board is not equipped to resolve private civil disputes. This unexpected position surprised the justices, prompting inquiries into whether an agency could be devoid of power over issues assigned to it by law. Meanwhile, BetMGM maintains its adherence to LIGA regulations and its user agreement, which allow for the cancellation of bets affected by glitches. The platform also pointed out that Davis did file a complaint with the MGCB, but no formal resolution was reached.