It’s generating its share of snickers in the free-for-all of the online gambling community, but the federal lawsuit filed by a California high roller who claims he was served a cocktail possibly spiked with ketamine while playing blackjack at the MGM Grand is no joke.
Orange County real estate developer and former sports agent Dwight Manley alleges that more than the cards were going against him in December 2021, when he managed to blow through multiple markers playing high-limit blackjack with a resulting loss of $3.5 million, according to his lawsuit in U.S. District Court.
Although the stakes were high, it was hardly a marathon gambling session. According to the lawsuit, Manley gambled alone and stayed about three hours at the table. He ordered an Old-Fashioned cocktail from the bar in the high-limit gambling salon and complained that it tasted bitter. Less than 30 minutes later, he declined a second due to the taste of the first.
“Shortly after consuming the first Old-Fashioned, Plaintiff felt disoriented and ‘out of it,’’’ the lawsuit states. At one point, Manley shattered an ashtray, cutting his hand and bleeding on the blackjack table. “Plaintiff does not recall cutting his hand, did not feel any pain and was unaware that he was bleeding,” the lawsuit states.
Shortly after 4 p.m. and displaying erratic behavior, according to the lawsuit, Manley signed a “this-trip-only” credit marker and 10 minutes later requested another. In all, three requests were granted, raising his credit line to $3.5 million, and witnessed by Manley’s casino host Vanessa Reboton.
When Manley attempted to leave the blackjack table, he was so disoriented he could barely stand and had to be helped by friends back to his villa. He fell multiple times on the way back to his room, according to the lawsuit. He collapsed on the bed at 5:15 p.m., slept through the night, and awoke “feeling nauseous and groggy, having almost no recollection of the events from the prior afternoon.”
Here’s where the stakes rise, not only for the gambler, but potentially for the casino company as well. According to the lawsuit, Manley immediately raised his concern about consuming a contaminated cocktail with his host. He also requested that his host check the available surveillance tape of the time his drink was mixed. It sounds like a reasonable request coming from a good customer of more than 30 years.
Back in California, Manley tested positive for ketamine, an anesthesia that can cause sedation, memory loss, and hallucinations. Manley said he has never knowingly consumed the drug. From the time he boarded the plane provided by the casino company to the time he collapsed, “all food and drink” he consumed was provided by MGM, according to the lawsuit.
Then there’s a twist that should silence a lot of laughter: By his count, in less than three hours at the table that December day and despite his apparent erratic behavior, the company increased Manley’s credit limit to a higher level “than it ever had extended Plaintiff in more than 30 years of the casino/patron relationship,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit makes a claim for declaratory relief in the debt issue and alleges negligence, unfair and deceptive trade practices, unjust enrichment, and a breach of good faith and fair dealing. It is being vigorously defended by attorneys for the company and at one point earlier this year, it appeared the parties were on their way to settling the outstanding issues.
Now Manley has hired the de Becker Investigations firm and is offering up to $500,000 for “truthful information” that leads to an arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the alleged drugging. A hotline (800-608-6155) and an email (info@debeckerinvestigations.com) have been set up.
Let’s call that a long shot, but one that has attracted international attention from the press. At this point, whether anyone comes forward may be immaterial.
The case of the drugged high roller is in the court of public opinion and that makes it a serious matter for a licensed casino company.
