MGM Faces Lawsuit from Gambler over Spiked Drink
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Dwight Manley, a renowned coin enthusiast and agent of the NBA's Dennis Rodman before he retired, has built a reputation for his penchant for colossal gambling endeavors. He has been a regular high-roller in Las Vegas for years, but is now taking one of his favorite casino operators to court over allegations it was implicit in a drugging incident.
Taking Advantage of an Inebriated Gambler
Manley, 57, has launched a lawsuit against MGM Resorts International, accusing it of consumer fraud and negligence. He claims that the casino irresponsibly provided him with millions in credit while under the influence of ketamine. The lawsuit argues that someone had spiked his drink with the drug.
Court documents reveal that Manley enjoyed an extensive three-decade connection with the MGM Grand. Throughout this long-standing affiliation, he relished the perks of a VIP, benefiting from complimentary accommodations, drinks and exclusive admission to a VIP betting room. While at the blackjack table, he played solo, relishing the solitude.
According to the lawsuit, during his most recent journey, Manley and his group departed Orange County, CA, on December 10, 2020, in a private jet arranged by the casino. The casino then set up the group in a private residence on the resort's property.
Everything had been arranged ahead of time through a casino host with whom Manley had worked for over five years. When arranging the trip, he laid out the plans, which included some time at the gambling tables followed by participation in an MGM poker tournament.
Things went wrong almost as soon as Manley arrived. In the lawsuit, it is claimed that his first drink tasted bitter, but he didn't make a big deal out of it. He only asked that his second drink be prepared differently.
Odd Behavior
A short while later, a fellow casino attendee informed Manley's companions that the high roller was acting oddly. However, nothing changed – Manley continued to gamble and ultimately received more credit from the casino. Despite acknowledging Manley's behavior, MGM, which is recovering from a massive cyberattack, took no action to stop him from gambling further or to ensure his well-being.
It wasn't until the following day that Manley was coherent enough to realize something had happened. He told MGM staff that he thought he had been drugged, but nothing came of it. It was at this point that he realized MGM had given him $2 million in credit, which he couldn't cover on the spot.
Upon returning home, Manley had tests conducted that confirmed traces of ketamine in his system. He then filed a police report in Nevada and lodged a complaint with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
A legal battle ensued when MGM, not content with its triumph, set its sights on claiming the credits and an extra $440,000. Manley then lodged a lawsuit in November 2022, only to revise it in July. In addition to the lawsuit, he's also offering $500,000 as a reward to anyone who comes forward with information on what really happened.
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