A Detroit woman, Denise Ezell, is taking legal action against MGM Casinos after they refused to pay out a $127,000 jackpot she won playing progressive blackjack at her local MGM Grand in Oct. 2023.
The dispute arose when the casino accused Ezell of trespassing due to a prior incident in 2015, a claim she vehemently denies.
Ezell, 65, expressed her disbelief and frustration to Detroit Free Press, recounting the joyous moment of hitting the straight flush jackpot amidst cheers from onlookers. However, her excitement quickly turned sour when a pit boss informed her that the casino would not honor her win and asked her to leave the premises.
“I walked out of there penniless,” Ezell stated. “Do you think I would have spent my money there for eight years if I knew I was trespassing?”
According to Ezell and her attorney, Ivan Land, the supposed ban from the casino stemmed from a misunderstanding in 2015, where she was wrongly accused of panhandling.
Ezell claims she was only temporarily escorted out and was never formally notified of any ban.
Despite attempts to resolve the issue directly with the casino, including assurances from a sympathetic employee that the matter would be addressed, Ezell found herself repeatedly stonewalled.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, she decided to pursue legal action.
In addition to the $127,000 jackpot, Ezell is seeking $75,000 in damages. She expressed her disappointment, stating:
“When I go and lose, nobody asks for my license or my name, but when I win, suddenly there are accusations and barriers.”
The lawsuit highlights the contentious issue of casino patron rights and responsibilities, particularly concerning bans and payouts. MGM Casinos has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit.
