Jury: Beau Rivage Did Nothing Wrong in Detaining Drunk Gambler

Posted on: July 22, 2024, 02:21h. 

Last updated on: July 22, 2024, 09:55h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

A federal jury in Mississippi has ruled in favor of MGM Resorts International and Beau Rivage in its defense against a plaintiff who claimed he was wrongly detained at the riverboat during an incident in March 2022.

Beau Rivage lawsuit Mississippi casino
Surveillance footage from March 11, 2022, at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., shows Floridian Brent Nettles being detained by casino security. A federal grand jury ruled against Nettles’ claims that he was wrongly detained. (Image: Casino.org)

Plaintiff Brent Nettles alleged in his federal lawsuit that casino security falsely imprisoned him on the evening of March 11, 2022. Nettles claimed he additionally suffered intentional battery during the event.

MGM attorneys claimed Nettles was intoxicated and became unruly after he was asked to vacate the casino floor. Casino security reportedly told Nettles to call it a night and return to his Beau Rivage guestroom.  

Surveillance video initially showed Nettles complying with the order before turning around to go back to the bar where he was drinking with his wife and parents. Nettles claimed in his lawsuit that he had forgotten to pay his tab. Security said he was now trespassing and detained Nettles while local police were called.

Beau Rivage is one of MGM’s most profitable casinos outside of Las Vegas. The Gulf Coast property has 1,800 slots, almost 100 live dealer table games, and a BetMGM Sportsbook.

Jury Sides With Casino

Defense attorneys successfully convinced the jury in the Southern District of Mississippi courtroom that Nettles was drunk and refused to adhere to casino staff directives. Nettles asked the jury for $2.5 million in damages.

Nettles had been a frequent MGM guest before the March 2022 incident.

A Florida resident of Augustine, south of Jacksonville, Nettles said in his complaint that he enjoys gambling and considers the activity as a form of entertainment. He detailed that he is willing to lose around $20K a year.

Nettles said MGM lured him to Beau Rivage with a free two-night stay. He took his wife and purchased a room for his parents to tag along.

After losing around $5,000 playing slot machines, Nettles claims he and his party went to the Eight 75 lounge to unwind with some cocktails that Friday night. He alleged he was dancing to the live band with his wife before visiting the restroom. As he was walking back, casino security approached him after noticing him stumbling.

Nettles argued that he suffers from avascular necrosis, a disease involving the death of bone tissue, and had recently undergone bilateral hip replacements.

In his request for damages of $2.5 million, Nettles argued he suffered nerve injuries as a result of being handcuffed. But Nettles’ family doctor, Dr. Gregory McHugh, conceded during his disposition that he had never seen a patient complain of nerve damage as a result of being handcuffed.

MGM’s legal counsel argued that Nettles was drunk and filed a frivolous lawsuit in response to being detained. The jury agreed.

“We the jury find for the defendant,” the jury wrote.

MGM Celebrates Verdict

In a statement to the Sun Herald, MGM’s local legal team said they were pleased with the jury’s decision.

“Today’s verdict and the success the Beau Rivage and Thompson Addison have achieved together for many years should be a clear indication that our team will continue to vigorously defend against these meritless cases,” said Beau Rivage spokesperson Mary Cracchiolo about the casino’s longstanding relationship with Mississippi-based law firm Thompson Addison.