Atlantic City, New Jersey – A New Jersey woman is caught in a battle with a casino after hitting a jackpot of more than $2 million on a slot machine at Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City. However, the casino has refused to pay up, claiming a technical glitch invalidates the winnings. This has left the 72-year-old woman, Roney Beal, feeling anxious about her inability to help her homeless son.
Beal recounts how after losing $1,000 on various machines, she returned to the Wheel of Fortune slot machine and hit the jackpot after a few more spins. She describes the thrilling moment when the words “wild,” “wild x2,” and “spin” lined up on the machine, granting her a free spin on the Wheel of Fortune wheel atop the machine. As the wheel stopped on “Jackpot” with a dollar sign, and she heard the words “You’ve won,” Beal thought she had struck it rich.
However, Beal’s excitement quickly turned to disappointment when she tried to collect her winnings and a tilt message appeared on the machine, indicating a malfunction. Despite seeing 3-D gold coins and hearing that she had won, a Bally’s employee informed her that she did not win and asked her to leave the casino. Beal’s lawyer, Mike Di Croce, is now preparing a legal complaint against Bally’s and International Game Technology (IGT) for $2.56 million, including emotional distress claims.
Bally’s has distanced itself from the dispute, claiming that they are not responsible as they only house the machines while IGT handles payouts. The ongoing investigation involves the collaboration of the casino operator and IGT, leaving Beal in a state of uncertainty about the outcome. Despite her health struggles, including a heart attack a year ago, Beal remains hopeful that she will receive the money she won to fulfill her plans of helping her son and others in need.
The State of New Jersey Casino Control Commission has yet to provide a response to the incident, as Beal and her legal team contemplate the next steps in the fight for her rightful winnings. As the case unfolds, questions arise about the transparency and accountability of casinos in handling jackpot disputes and the impact on individuals like Beal who rely on these winnings for financial relief. With no resolution in sight, Beal’s story serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals in navigating the world of high-stakes gambling.