Denise Ezell, a woman from Michigan, is suing MGM Grand Detroit after they refused to pay her a $127,000 jackpot she had won playing progressive blackjack. The 65-year-old has been gambling at the casino for more than two decades and filed a complaint in the US District Court Eastern District of Michigan asking for the jackpot along with $75,000 in damages.

Jackpot Winner Denied Prize Due to Trespassing Allegations

On October 30, 2023, Denise Ezell said she was at the casino with a friend when she decided to play some progressive blackjack. She put down a side bet and was dealt what would be the winning hand—a straight flush with a Jack and King of Spades against the dealer’s Ace and Queen of Spades. The table erupted when Ezell’s win was announced, reported the Detroit Free Press.

But then things took an unexpected turn. A pit boss came over and asked for her ID before walking away for a moment. When he returned, he told her she would not be getting any money—she was trespassing. She did not understand how that could be possible because she had been coming to MGM Grand all these years without an issue.

The allegation that she had trespassed stemmed from an incident in 2015 when Ezell got into an argument with her cousin about money at one of the blackjack tables. According to her account, it was all just one big misunderstanding but casino security still kicked her out after interpreting their dispute as solicitation during which time they told her that the ban could last anywhere between 24-48 hours but did not give any kind of official notice so she kept coming back year after year thinking everything was fine.

Attorney Criticizes MGM Grand for Withholding Jackpot from Longtime Gambler

Over the next few days, Ezell said she tried working it out through different people in MGM Grand’s security department but got mixed messages about where things stood—an employee initially assured her she would get paid then later communication seemed to indicate the matter had gone past that person’s authority, leaving Ezell without her jackpot.

Ivan Land, Ezell’s attorney, has expressed his frustration with what the casino did. He said that they were okay accepting her money for almost a decade but when she wins this much, they refuse to pay out the jackpot on weak grounds. Land does not understand the casino’s inconsistency as no one told Ezell about any long-term bans and she was allowed to keep gambling there until winning a big prize.

Land also pointed out how devastating both financially and emotionally not getting paid has been for his client. Ezell works for Michigan’s state government and has been helping put her daughter through medical school so an extra $127,000 could have helped a great deal.

Ezell argued that the casino’s actions were not only unfair but also damaging, as they led her to believe she would receive the money, only to retract the promise later.MGM Grand Detroit has not given any comment yet since it claims it has not received notice about the suit yet.

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Petersburg Governor Glenn Youngkin has sent Senate Bill 628 back to the General Assembly with a recommendation to amend the legislation, indicating that a do-over vote is unnecessary for setting up Petersburg as the fifth casino-host city in Virginia. While this move has raised some concerns, it should not affect the bill’s expected success.

The Legislation Remains on Track

The bill, one of 11 amended by the Governor’s office on Friday, had a hastily added re-enactment clause attached to it, requiring it to be reconsidered by the General Assembly even after the House of Delegates and Senate had approved it in the 2024 regular session. Governor Youngkin was surprised by this sudden update, motivating his decision to mandate a do-over.

By amending the bill instead of vetoing it, Youngkin aims to ensure that it proceeds smoothly through the legislative process and gets in front of Petersburg’s voters this November. Unlike a veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers to override, an amendment only needs a simple majority, significantly improving Bill 628’s chances.

The Governor’s request for the General Assembly to review the re-enactment clause raised uncertainties about the bill’s fate as the bill’s second vote must happen during a regular or a special session. Lawmakers reconvene later this month, but the casino re-vote cannot occur then. However, a special session later this year could provide another opportunity for the vote.

Petersburg’s Casino Dream May Soon Become Reality

The establishment of Petersburg as the fifth casino-host city aims to bolster the economies of historically disadvantaged communities in Virginia. Although Bristol, Danville, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Richmond were the state’s original choices, only Richmond did not pass referendums. With Richmond stepping back, Petersburg now has the opportunity to secure the final casino license.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird, one of the bill’s primary sponsors, remained optimistic regarding its chances. She highlighted the importance of allowing Petersburg to obtain the fifth casino license and for citizens to vote in a referendum. Aird was looking forward to hearing the proposals of interested operators, hoping they would bring lasting prosperity to the region.

With the removal of the re-enactment clause, this legislation moves one step closer to final approval to allow Petersburg to obtain the fifth and final license.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird

The move to amend the legislation comes after Governor Youngkin signed bills earlier in the week preventing Richmond from revisiting casino referendums until Petersburg has its chance. An upcoming town hall meeting hosted by Senator Aird will allow citizens to meet the five vendors who have submitted bids for Petersburg’s casino business, indicating the significant progress in the casino licensing process.

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Representatives from mental health organizations voiced tentative support for proposed Alabama bills that could pave the way for widespread online sports betting, retail sports betting, casinos, and lotteries across the state.

Alabama Mental Health Advocates Call for Increased Funding Amid Gambling Expansion Debate

During a hearing before the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, Holly McCorkle of the Alabama Council for Behavioral Health and John Kilpatrick of Alabama Veterans Recovery Resources refrained from outright opposition to the bills. Instead, they emphasized the need for increased funding for mental health services in the state.

McCorkle emphasized the necessity of a new revenue stream for mental health, stating that they supported the proposal because mental health desperately needed it. 

Kilpatrick echoed her sentiments, highlighting the plight of veterans and emphasizing the importance of ensuring that a significant portion of the generated funds is allocated to mental health and veterans’ services.

The proposed bills, HB 151 and 152, mark a significant potential expansion of gambling in Alabama, a state currently without a lottery but home to Indian gaming operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians at three casinos.

If passed, the legislation would permit up to 10 brick-and-mortar casinos, including existing tribal locations, along with additional tribal and non-tribal gaming facilities. 

Advocates Highlight Consumer Protections, Critics Raise Societal Concerns

However, concerns have been raised regarding the current wording of the bills, particularly by Robbie McGhee, representing the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. McGhee expressed reservations about certain aspects of the legislation but affirmed the tribe’s overall support for expanding gaming.

FanDuel president Christian Genetski, an Alabama native, testified in favor of the proposals, highlighting the demand for legal wagering among Alabamians. Genetski emphasized the importance of consumer protections provided by the legal market, including robust responsible gambling measures.

Despite some vocal support, opposition to the bills also emerged during the hearing. Individuals with a history of compulsive gambling, as well as organizations such as the Public Policy Institute and the Alabama Farmers Federation (AFF), raised concerns about the potential societal impacts of expanded gambling.

Tim Richie, a former compulsive gambler, cautioned against the negative consequences of gambling addiction, while Preston Roberts of the AFF argued that the bills would primarily benefit gambling operators and weaken communities.

Previously, Gov. Kay Ivey of Alabama addressed the 2024 legislative session, particularly supporting the current proposal for gambling expansion in the state. With the hearing concluded, the Economic Development and Tourism Committee is now poised to vote on the bills. The committee is scheduled to reconvene on February 14 to further deliberate on the issue.

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