Casinos and IGT Accused of Rigging "Wheel of Fortune" Slot Machines

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims that casinos and IGT rigged "Wheel of Fortune" slot machines to favor low payouts, misleading consumers and cheating them out of winnings.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who played "Wheel of Fortune" slot machines at the casinos named in the lawsuit.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Nevada

A group of major U.S. casinos and a gaming technology company manipulated popular “Wheel of Fortune”-themed slot machines to cheat players out of their winnings, a new lawsuit claims. 

Casinos including MGM Resorts, Bally’s Corporation, PENN Entertainment, Station Casinos, and Boyd Gaming conspired with game maker International Game Technology (IGT) to rig the machines’ bonus feature, misleading players into believing they had equal chances of winning, the lawsuit alleges.

The lawsuit, filed by four players, alleges that the “Bonus Wheel” in the slot machines isn’t random but is controlled by a computer programmed to land on lower-value segments more often than higher-value ones. This setup, they argue, unfairly increases profits for casinos while deceiving customers.

"Wheel of Fortune" Slot Machines Rigged to Favor Low Payouts

The “Wheel of Fortune”-themed slots feature a secondary game that activates when players hit a designated symbol, the lawsuit states. This triggers a spin of a colorful “Bonus Wheel,” divided into segments representing various cash prizes, from small payouts to large jackpots. The wheel appears to operate like a mechanical roulette-style device, leading players to believe that each spin offers an equal chance of hitting any prize, according to the claims.

However, according to the lawsuit, the spins are not determined by chance. Instead, the results are controlled by internal software programmed to favor lower payouts. This programming effectively rigs the game, misleading players and encouraging them to keep playing, thinking they might win big.

Consumers Misled by Illusion of Randomness, Lawsuit Alleges

The lawsuit was filed by Charlotte Bownes, Joseph Lagreca, Jessica Naumann, and Christopher Goodin, who all played the “Wheel of Fortune” machines at casinos across the country, including MGM Grand Detroit, Bally’s Twin River in Rhode Island, and Palace Station in Las Vegas. Each claims they lost money after being duped by the rigged Bonus Wheel.

Bownes, who played at MGM Grand Detroit in 2021, believed she had an equal chance of winning any segment’s prize. Unbeknownst to her, the machines were programmed to stop more frequently on lower-value prizes. The plaintiffs all assert that if they had known the truth about the wheel’s programming, they wouldn’t have risked their money.

The lawsuit accuses the casinos and IGT of using the machines’ design to create a false impression of randomness. The wheel’s appearance, combined with the use of the iconic “Wheel of Fortune” brand, makes it seem like the outcomes are determined by the laws of physics. In reality, the lawsuit claims, casino operators configure the machines to disproportionately favor low-value payouts.

The plaintiffs argue that this deception drives players to spend more money while unjustly boosting casino profits. The lawsuit also highlights promotional tactics, such as appearances by “Wheel of Fortune” TV co-host Vanna White, which reinforce the links with the popular game show.

Other Companies Face Lawsuits Over Collusion and Deceptive Practices

A number of companies across different industries are currently facing legal action targeting corporate collusion and deceptive practices. Gaming and technology company Valve Corporation, owner of the Steam platform, is accused of inflating video game prices through anti-competitive practices. 

Meanwhile, a class action lawsuit was filed against major Las Vegas hotels, alleging that they used an algorithm to fix hotel room prices. The lawsuit was initially dismissed, but the plaintiffs have appealed the decision.

In academia, a UCLA neuroscientist is suing major publishers, claiming they colluded to inflate prices for peer-reviewed journals. And in the auto industry, a class action lawsuit has been filed against several major tire manufacturers, alleging that they conspired to fix the prices of replacement tires. 

The plaintiffs in the casino lawsuit are seeking compensation for their losses and an end to the deceptive practices they say have siphoned billions of dollars from unsuspecting players. They want to represent anyone in the country who spent money to play any Wheel of Fortune-themed gaming device containing a Bonus Wheel Feature at any of the casinos’ properties in the United States. 

They’re alleging violations of the federal Racketeer Influences and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), fraud, unjust enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Bownes, et al. v. International Game Technology PLC
• Case Number: 3:24-cv-00528 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Nevada

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• David C. O’Mara (The O’Mara Law Firm, P.C.)
• E. Powell Miller (The Miller Law Firm)
• Frank S. Hedin and Tyler K. Somes (Hedin LLP)

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