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New Jersey regulators are deciding whether to investigate a man’s claim that an Atlantic City casino cheated him by using illegal dice.
On Tuesday, a federal judge in New York requested that the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement look into a complaint from Wayne Chan.
Chan claims that Golden Nugget Hotel, Casino & Marina is altering dice in a manner inconsistent with state regulations. Court documents say Chan lost roughly $470,000 playing craps in 2018 and 2019 using improperly modified dice.
In April, a New York court gave the DGE six months to review and resolve the issue.
Does the Golden Nugget casino lawsuit hold weight?
Chan’s lawsuit against Golden Nugget came in September 2021. According to Chan’s original complaint, the New Jersey casino marked the dice with a table number and used nontransparent dice.
Neither of these practices is permitted under New Jersey gambling regulations. However, a Newark court sided with the casino forcing Chan’s attorney to appeal.
New Jersey regulators dismissed a similar gambling complaint about illegal dice against Hard Rock Hotel & Casino AC in 2022.
Per NJ gambling regulations, dice in Atlantic City can only have the spots, the casino’s name and a serial number. Dice must also be transparent to ensure they are not weighted.
Resolution still pending
On Jan. 13, 2020, a Golden Nugget lawyer wrote to Chan’s attorney. In the letter, the casino’s lawyer called “scribing the dice — an industry recognized practice and that the DGE and every other regulatory agency is aware.”
The next day, Chan filed a complaint with the DGE. However, no determination of Chan’s complaint was ever recorded.
Golden Nugget wanted $200,000 it said Chan owed and continued its collection efforts until his lawsuit on Sept. 24, 2021.
According to PlayNJ, in May 2022, the New Jersey federal court dismissed Chan’s suit without prejudice. Sometime later, the appellate court in New York denied the summary judgment with an ability to renew pending a DGE ruling or after six months.
