California Real Estate Agent Dwight Manley Files Lawsuit Suing MGM Resorts
California high roller Dwight Manley is suing MGM Resorts, arguing that the company kept raising his credit limit after someone allegedly spiked his cocktail. Dwight Manley, a real estate developer and former sports agent, from Orange County, California, alleges the incident occurred in December 2020 while playing high-limit blackjack at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Manley has now filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging he was drugged and “sustained injuries as his credit line was increased by millions of dollars while under the influence.” He alleges that he lost $2 million while at the property, and is also seeking another $440,000.
“Mr. Manley feels that a serious criminal act was directed at him which potentially put his life in danger,” said one of his attorneys, Richard K. Howell, told the Orange County Register last week. “He is determined to do all that he can to track down and hold accountable those responsible.”
A Bad Las Vegas Getaway
Some of the larger casinos in Las Vegas regularly cater to “whales,” the term used for players who wager uber-high amounts. These players are regularly given the complete VIP treatment with comped rooms, meals, cocktails, and more. Some properties are even known to offer players at this level luxury gifts to keep them coming back – and wagering plenty of money.
According to his lawsuit, Manley was one of these players and had gambled at the MGM Grand for three decades. During the gambling excursion in question, Manley’s lawsuit notes that he was flown to Las Vegas on a private jet by MGM and given a high-end villa at the property. He planned on gambling that weekend and also playing in a poker tournament.
However, Manley alleges that after heading to play blackjack shortly after arriving, his first drink was spiked and had a “bitter” or “dirty” taste. He later asked for a different mixed drink. He described feeling disoriented and broke a glass ashtray, cutting his hand.
Staff then moved Manley to another blackjack table, the lawsuit notes. Casino staff provided some Band-Aids for the injury but did not offer any other medical help, his attorneys argue. The lawsuit says Manley was allowed to increase his maximum credit limit three times even after his casino host alerted his friends that Manley was behaving erratically.
“MGM did nothing to stop (Manley) from further gaming play or to otherwise check on his well-being despite its casino host expressly commenting upon his ‘erratic’ behavior,” the lawsuit outlines.
Later Manley and his friends left the table and planned to go play at the Venetian, but changed plans when they noticed he could barely stand or walk and fell several times. He later collapsed in bed shortly after 5 p.m. and woke up the next morning feeling dazed and nauseous.
After immediately returning home, Manley underwent drug testing, which came back showing ketamine in his system, according to the suit. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, ketamine is a “dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Ketamine distorts the perception of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is referred to as a ‘dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen’ because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment.”
Police Report Filed, Reward Offered
Manley says that he never knowingly took ketamine and filed a report with the Las Vegas police department. His attorneys argue that he is not responsible for the markers, the casino term for a credit line, that were taken out after he was drugged.
The lawsuit notes that the gambler “lacked capacity to enter into any requests for additional credit advances or credit instruments.”
Beyond the lawsuit, Manley is also hoping to discover who allegedly spiked his drink and is offering a $500,000 reward to anyone who reveals “truthful information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons who drugged him.”
A toll-free phone number has been set up for those who might have information (1-800-608-6155). Manley has also hired private investigators to pursue the issue as well and those with information can also email [email protected] or visit www.Reward4InfoCasinoDrugging.com. MGM Resorts hasn’t commented on the lawsuit.
Detroit Casino Workers Nearing Strike
In other gaming news, casino workers in Detroit, Michigan, were nearing a strike deadline on Monday. The Detroit Casino Council, representing 3,700 casino workers in five unions, has been negotiating with the city’s three casinos but has yet to reach a deal.
A deadline was set for Monday and workers could walk off the job as early as midnight. Union officials have described the parties as still “miles apart” and the scenario could lead to the first casino strike in city history.
