Players in a case involving unshuffled cards must return their winnings to Golden Nugget Atlantic City, a judge has ruled.
The cards involved in the case had not been pre-shuffled as the manufacturer had guaranteed. That allowed 14 gamblers to win $1.5 million in an April 2012 game when they recognized the emerging pattern of cards.
Lawyers for the gamblers argued that it was the casino’s responsibility to ensure the cards were shuffled.
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Donna M. Taylor ruled that the game—due to the unshuffled cards—was not authorized under the New Jersey Casino Control Act, thus voiding the game.
“The dealer did not pre-shuffle the cards immediately prior to the commencement of play, and the cards were not pre-shuffled in accordance with any regulation,” the judge wrote. “Thus, a literal reading of the regulations entails that the game violated the Casino Control Act, and consequently was not authorized.”
“We are pleased with the trial court’s ruling,” Golden Nugget General Manager Tom Pohlman said in a press statement. “We believe it was the right decision.”
The casino paid out about $500,000 in winnings during the games. About $1 million in chips remains outstanding.
