A gambler from Las Vegas has initiated a negligence lawsuit against the Bellagio, claiming the casino’s security personnel did not provide adequate protection after he was assaulted by three individuals attempting to take his jackpot winnings.
In a complaint filed on Friday with the Clark County District Court, plaintiff Joel Vargas-Gutierrez alleges negligence and lack of proper security at the Bellagio, stating that staff failed to intervene during a confrontation that resulted in his injuries. Additionally, he has accused three unnamed individuals of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Vargas-Gutierrez is pursuing damages exceeding $15,000, as well as attorney fees, legal interest, punitive damages, and any other relief the court finds suitable. MGM Resorts International, which oversees the Bellagio, has not yet issued a statement regarding the lawsuit.
The complaint details that Vargas-Gutierrez, a frequent visitor to the Bellagio, was gambling on December 12 when he hit a $2,600 jackpot on a Mummy-themed slot machine. Due to the nature of the jackpot, a casino attendant was required to verify and process the payout. While waiting for this to occur, Vargas-Gutierrez shifted to another nearby machine to continue playing.
The lawsuit claims that while he awaited the payout, two men and a woman approached the original slot machine and began celebrating as if the winnings were theirs. Vargas-Gutierrez alleges he confronted the trio, clarifying that the jackpot belonged to him, but was met with immediate hostility and threats. The group persistently demanded he leave and insisted that the winnings were rightfully theirs.
According to the lawsuit, the situation escalated when one of the men approached Vargas-Gutierrez in a threatening manner. Feeling vulnerable, Vargas-Gutierrez reacted defensively by “swinging to protect himself.” While a bystander attempted to intervene, the complaint asserts that no security personnel from the Bellagio were present to de-escalate the situation.
Subsequently, the woman allegedly “slapped” Vargas-Gutierrez, triggering a second confrontation in which the two men took him down to the ground. Security staff reportedly arrived only after Vargas-Gutierrez had sustained multiple attacks.
The lawsuit contends that as a direct consequence of this incident, Mr. Vargas-Gutierrez has endured physical injuries along with significant mental and emotional distress which necessitated professional medical care, and he continues to experience these challenges today.