Emmanuel Kromah, a sports betting influencer, is suing Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in North Carolina for not paying out his winnings, alleging that the casino defamed him, interfered with his business contracts, and carried out unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Key Takeaways
- A Florida man is suing Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort after the casino refused to pay $500,505 in winnings
- After placing a $143,000 wager on the Boston Celtics to win the 2024 NBA Championship, the man won $500,505
- While Caesars eventually paid out the money, the man pursued the legal claim after he was banned from all Caesars Entertainment properties
Kromah arrived in Cherokee in June 2024 to collect his $500,500 winnings from a bet he’d placed at the North Carolina casino. He had previously placed a $143,000 bet on the Boston Celtics to win the NBA Championship, which the team did in the 2024 NBA Finals.
However, instead of collecting his winnings, he was met by two Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort employees, who had asked security to escort Kromah out of the building.
Furthermore, the staff called the police to meet Kromah outside and escorted him out, which Kromah’s business partner filmed and posted on social media.
Kromah eventually received his winnings, but the casino sent him a written notice banning him and his sports betting business from Caesars’ Entertainment-owned properties and listing regulatory compliance as a concern.
Ranchor Harris, the lawyer representing Kromah in the case, called the ban from Caesars properties a “tipping point” for the influencer to pursue legal action.
New NC casino expected to launch in 2027
While one North Carolina casino is being criticized for its payout practices, a future competitor has announced its launch date. Construction on the $1 billion Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountains continues. The new 24-storey casino resort, located just off I-85 Exit 5, will feature 385 hotel rooms, an expansive casino, dining, bars, and a panoramic view of Crowders Mountain and Kings Pinnacle.
The resort is slated for completion in spring 2027. It will offer its visitors a two-million-square-foot main casino with 4,300 slot machines and 100 table games, 11 dining outlets, 11 bars, and a 2,700-space parking garage.
An introductory casino is located on the first floor and is expected to open in spring 2026. It will have over 1,300 slot machines, 22 table games, a restaurant, bar, sports betting kiosks, and more. The entire project has the potential to generate 2,200 permanent jobs and drive significant economic development in the region.
North Carolina gambling deduction tax still under consideration
In other news, North Carolina lawmakers are still considering House Bill 14, a proposal allowing residents to deduct gambling losses on their state income taxes, as long as those losses don’t exceed reported winnings.
The decision comes after over $6 billion was wagered in the state since the legalization of online sports betting in March 2023. Representative Keith Kidwell and Erin Paré argued that the bill is about fairness to taxpayers and aligning state law with the federal tax code.
However, that federal code is now different after President Donald Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, reducing the amount of gambling losses that can be deducted from gambling wins from 100% to 90%. This is being challenged by U.S. lawmakers.
