CAMDEN, NJ – A New Jersey woman who says she won more than $2.5 million playing a popular slot machine at Bally’s Atlantic City is suing the casino, claiming it refused to pay out her winnings after a machine malfunction was triggered post-jackpot — a legal battle that just cleared a major hurdle in federal court.
Roney Beal filed suit after she says she hit the Wheel of Fortune Wide Area Progressive jackpot on February 25, pulling in what she believed to be a $2,555,908.70 win. But instead of cashing in, Beal claims the machine flashed an error message, was opened and manipulated by staff, and ultimately led to her being told the payout was invalid due to a “tilt” error.
The case, now in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, centers on what Beal calls a breach of an “aleatory contract” — a contract based on an uncertain event, like a jackpot. Bally’s had attempted to get the case thrown out, filing a motion to administratively terminate the complaint. That request was denied this week by U.S. District Judge Christine O’Hearn, meaning the case will proceed.
According to court filings, Beal says she was an invited guest at Bally’s and had inserted money into the slot machine, which registered a double jackpot win. When she summoned casino staff, she alleges they interfered with the machine without her consent and told her the win was void due to a computer glitch and machine malfunction.
The casino maintains that a legitimate “tilt” error invalidated the payout and points to an ongoing investigation by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Beal filed a formal patron complaint with the agency shortly after the incident but claims she hasn’t received any update.
Beal initially filed her lawsuit in New Jersey state court in June, but it was moved to federal court the following month. Her original negligence claim was already dismissed under the state’s economic loss doctrine. However, her breach-of-contract claim remains the focus of the case moving forward.
The court’s recent denial means Bally’s cannot escape the lawsuit at this stage, setting the stage for what could become a closely watched legal showdown in the world of casino gaming and jackpot disputes.