$1 Million Verdict Against Casino for Failure to Pay Jackpot

Rena Gottlieb of Cheltenham was a member of Tropicana’s “Diamond Club,” and entitled to one spin a day on the casino’s “Fun House Million Dollar Wheel” video promotion. Mrs. Gottlieb claimed that when she swiped her Diamond Club card and spun the wheel, it stopped at the $1 million prize, but that shortly thereafter the casino attendant swiped another card, causing the wheel to spin again and land on a prize for “show tickets.”

After a lawsuit was filed, Tropicana refused to make any effort to settle, arguing that Mrs. Gottlieb’s story was not possible based upon how the computer system for the video promotion was supposed to operate. At trial, however, attorney Alan M. Feldman called as witnesses two women from Brooklyn — Irma Galione and Anna Marie DiMatteo – who testified that they had seen Mrs. Gottlieb win the $1 million prize.

Feldman tried the case before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III. Following jury deliberations lasting just several hours, the eight-member federal jury rendered a verdict in favor of Mrs. Gottlieb and against the Tropicana for $1 million.