The Florida resident placed a $143,000 bet on the Boston Celtics to win the 2024 NBA Finals at odds of +250. When he went to collect his winnings, casino staff refused to pay, accused him of fraud, and escorted him off the property.
Although the payout was wired days later, Kromah says he suffered emotional distress and defamation. He is now suing Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, Caesars Entertainment, and a tribal management entity for damages.
Details of the Bet and Lawsuit
On February 24, 2024, Kromah staked $143,000 in person at the Caesars Sportsbook inside Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in western North Carolina. After the Celtics won the championship, he was owed $500,505, which the casino initially refused to pay when he returned months later.
According to court papers filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, staff told him he would “not be collecting his winnings,” then called security and local police to escort him off the property.
Kromah’s lawsuit names three defendants: Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, its operator Caesars Entertainment, and an entity controlled by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He seeks at least $300,000 in actual and compensatory damages, plus attorney fees and court costs.
The complaint alleges defamation, unfair trade practices, and tortious interference with a business contract. It claims casino employees made prejudiced and insulting remarks, implying he was a criminal rather than a legitimate winner.
Allegations and Next Steps
Kromah, who has more than 200,000 Instagram followers and runs a popular YouTube channel, says he suffered trauma and reputational harm. His attorney argues the ban from all Caesars properties imposed even after the payout was wired on July 10, 2024, was the “tipping point.”
The lawsuit also challenges the lifetime ban, noting a letter informed him he could not game at any Caesars casino in the U.S. or abroad.
Caesars Entertainment has not issued a public statement, citing corporate policy. Large regional sportsbooks often wire big wins instead of paying cash on-site, but influencers like Kromah typically prefer cash for social media posts.
Legal experts note the case could spotlight how tribal casinos handle big bettors and whether bans without clear cause violate state or federal laws. The court will schedule initial hearings, and discovery could reveal internal communications at the casino.
If the parties cannot settle, the matter may proceed to trial, where Kromah will need to prove his claims of defamation and unfair treatment.
As the lawsuit moves forward, bettors and casinos in North Carolina will watch closely. A ruling could set a precedent for how large winnings and lifetime bans are handled at tribal and commercial casinos alike, potentially affecting policies across the industry.
