Lawsuit Filed Against BetMGM by New Jersey Bettor Over Unfair Promo Practices

BetMGM, a popular US casino operator, is facing a legal challenge in New Jersey after one player questioned its deceptive tactics over one of its promotions. Larry Murk is suing the company after joining a promotion in 2021, BetMGM’s $500,000 Casino Bonus, which is bundled with 100 Free Spins daily for one month. 

According to Murk, BetMGM changed the promotion’s rules mid-way into the campaign by allowing its VIP player to join late, and claim “courtesy leaderboard points”. Murk further explained that the operator’s decision favored high rollers, undermining the integrity and transparency of promotions. 

The Murk-BetMGM complaint was formally filed last September 2024 and is still being heard by the Superior Court of New Jersey. As of October 6th, lawyers for both parties appeared before the judge, and oral arguments are scheduled for January 26th, 2026.

Murk with a Strategy to Win the Bonus and Cash Prize

Murk entered the promotion with a strategy in mind. According to court records, BetMGM offered a $500k Casino Bonus, with 100 Free Spins daily for one month. The facts of the case, as indicated in court records, clearly specify who can participate and win the prize:

• Interested players must opt in
• Players must play the week’s featured slots to start earning Leaderboard Points
• Wager during the contest period
• These wagers must be placed during the period the slot game is featured

Eleven days into the contest, Murk noticed that the casino’s VIP player had edged him out in the leaderboard. Interestingly, this “VIP player” was added by the management to the contest as an “act of goodwill” because he’s a high roller at the company’s physical casino. The player used the screen name “mjbroker11969” and was listed in court documents as “Broker”, and topped the leaderboard with $800,000 wagered. Murk, on the other hand, wagered around $350,000 to this point.

A Casino Promotion Gone Wrong

Slots contests and promos feature the same objective and share specific terms, regardless of whether you’re playing at a real-money casino, social sportsbooks, or sweepstakes casino sites. Generally, players must opt in and play qualifying slot machines within the specified timeframe.

After seeing the change in leadership position and the entry of a new player, Murk immediately contacted VIP host Ryan Weiner, who was the other player’s host, too. Wiener shared that the Broker failed to opt-in, but the higher management has allowed him entry. The rules also stated that only qualifying slot games apply. However, the Broker was playing other games, but the VIP Department decided to transfer his play into the promo.

Murk Cries Fraud, Immediately Filed a Case

For Murk, this late decision was a violation of the promotion’s T&Cs. Murk’s lawyer argued that BetMGM not only incorrectly added Broker into the game, but they also abused authority to award him with 800,000 points not played on qualifying games. The company’s analyst admitted that the Broker was not eligible to claim Bonus Points, and that, rather, the awarding of points was just a one-time offer as a VIP.

Murk initially took his complaint to New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), but did not receive any resolution. Today, Murk’s complaint is with the Superior Court of New Jersey, and he’s seeking $2.5 million in damages under the state’s Consumer Fraud Act.

REFERENCES:

• Murk-BetMGM Complaint
• Consumer Fraud Act of New Jersey