Michigan Woman Can Sue BetMGM Over $3M Roulette Glitch

A panel of Michigan Supreme Court judges has ruled that a Michigan woman may sue BetMGM over a $3 million roulette glitch. The unanimous 7-0 decision allows Jacqueline Davis to pursue her lawsuit in circuit court. Michigan's highest court said she need not rely only on the gaming regulator. 

Davis allegedly won millions playing BetMGM's "Luck O' Roulette" online game in March 2021. She began with a $50 deposit and modest $4.50 bets. Over a five-day streak, her account increased to over $3 million. She withdrew $100,000 in cash at MGM Grand Detroit. The next day BetMGM froze her account, citing a software malfunction. 

BetMGM claimed its internal audit revealed erroneous win multiplication. Its policy voids winnings caused by game malfunctions. The company asserted this policy in its user terms. 

Davis sued BetMGM in Wayne County Circuit Court for breach of contract, fraud, and conversion. Lower courts dismissed her claims, saying the Michigan Lawful Internet Gaming Act gives sole authority to the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). 

Legal Recourse for Davis

The MGCB told the Supreme Court it lacks authority to settle private disputes. Regulators approve licenses and sanction infractions. They cannot award damages in civil cases. The court accepted that rationale. 

Justice Brian Zahra wrote: the gaming law did not strip away consumers' common-law rights. He said common law must adapt to the new challenges of online casinos. This ruling establishes precedent for real money online casino disputes. 

The case returns to circuit court where Davis may argue her case on the merits. She can show BetMGM allegedly failed to check the game within 24 hours as required. Her attorneys contend such failures undermine the malfunction defense. 

This ruling sends a message to online casinos and regulators in Michigan. It confirms that players may retain common-law rights in civil court. 

The decision affects any dispute over withheld winnings from real money online casinos. It opens a pathway beyond the MGCB's limited authority.

Possible Alternatives to Avoid Issues with Winnings

Other operators like Lucky Bonanza Casino and Wild Casino have not experienced such legal glitches. They remain viable options for players. Lucky Bonanza and Wild operate without scene-making disputes in Michigan. 

Those platforms have largely avoided software malfunction claims. Players can choose these alternatives if worried. 

Online casino users still must review operator reputations. They should confirm payout reliability and transparency. Operators like Lucky Bonanza Casino offer real money online casino play without controversy. They illustrate smoother operations than BetMGM's disputed game issues.

The Michigan Supreme Court has cleared the way for Davis to sue BetMGM over multi-million-dollar roulette payouts. Michigan courts reaffirmed common-law protections in gaming.

The decision signals that gamers using online casinos now can challenge operators in court. Other platforms such as Lucky Bonanza and Wild Casino stand as reliable alternatives.