Orange Country CA Sports Agent Who Alleges He Was Drugged at MGM Casino in Vegas Wins Significant Victory

Submitted by C Costigan on

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C Costigan

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Drink at casino

There is a major update in the Dwight Manley v. MGM Resorts case Gambling911.com has been covering over the last couple of years..  

The lawsuit against MGM was filed by Manley, a prominent Orange County California real estate developer and former sports agent who claims he was involuntarily drugged with ketamine while playing blackjack in the high-limit area of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in December 2021. 

The lawsuit also alleges he sustained injuries as his credit line was increased by millions of dollars while under the influence. (United States District Court, District of Nevada, Case No. 2:22-cv-01906-MMD-DJA. Third Amended Complaint.)

The case is finally heading to trial. 

Now we are learning that Manley and his legal counsel have now won a significant victory. 

United States District Court, District of Nevada Judge Miranda M. Du in Las Vegas has denied MGM's request for summary judgment dismissal of Manley's suit. A trial date will be set in the future. (Manley continues to offer a $1 million reward for truthful information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or persons who drugged him.)

Gambling911.com has obtained a copy of the Motions Hearing. 

Evidence found in discovery of 11 (eleven) other cases of visitors who alleged they were drugged by MGM personnel at MGM properties: Page 17 starting on Line 11 through Page 18 Line 7.

  • Evidence showed MGM appears to have violated MGM's Responsible Gaming Practices by knowingly serving alcoholic beverages to a visibly intoxicated patron, and knowingly permitting a visibly intoxicated patron to gamble: Page 24 Lines 18 through 23.
  • Judge Du’s denial of motion for summary judgment to dismiss Manley’s lawsuit:, Page 30 Line 14.
  • On Page 31 Line 18 Judge Du states: “I find that plaintiff has offered evidence to create a genuine issue of fact that the cocktail he was served by defendant's employee was poisoned such that he was incapacitated at the time he entered into the credit instrument at issue.”  
  • Judge Du also agreed with another judge’s finding granting Manley’s request for the reopening of discovery to depose five additional people: Page 41 Lines 9 and 10.

MGM had initially claimed Manley failed to provide enough evidence showing he was drugged in their casino. 

“MGM further objects to this request on the grounds that documents being sought are unproportional to the needs of this action and have no bearing on the parties’ respective claims and defenses, particularly since Plaintiff has failed to produce any evidence indicating that he was ‘drugged’ at MGM’s property on December 10, 2021.," per MGM's response back in 2024. 

Manley has provided the court with a hair test demonstrating that he was drugged with Ketamine, a medication that is known for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects and for being used recreationally as a hallucinogenic drug.

MGM contends that the drug test itself does not pinpoint where Manley was exposed to the Ketamine.

Combining Ketamine with substances such a alcohol can lead to death. 

  • Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher 

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