Nationwide — Emmanuel Kromah, an African American man from Florida who won over $500,000 betting on the NBA, is suing a casino in Cherokee, North Carolina for withholding his winnings, banning him for life, and making him look like a criminal in a viral video.
Kromah placed a legal sports bet at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in February 2024. He picked the Boston Celtics to win the NBA championship. When the Celtics won in June, his ticket became worth $500,500.
On June 30, Kromah traveled to the casino to collect his prize. But instead of paying him, casino staff allegedly treated him with hostility. Staff refused the payout, accused him of fraud, and called security to escort him out. Police were also involved.
According to WCNC, a video showing Kromah being removed from the casino later went viral, gaining millions of views. He says the footage made it look like he was being arrested and severely harmed his reputation, especially in the sports betting community.
Kromah believes the incident was racially motivated. Though the casino eventually paid him on July 10, he has been permanently banned from all Caesars-owned properties.
He and his consulting company, FortManny, have now filed a federal lawsuit seeking more than $75,000 in damages. The suit accuses the casino of defamation, racial discrimination, and unfair business practices. It asks for both compensation and punishment for the casino, with a jury trial requested to settle the case.