Jury award upheld in gambling suit

Video slots operator expects payout of $20 million

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA - A Nevada judge has denied an appeal from one of the world's largest slot machine makers, and video gambling operator Fred Collins stands to pocket a jury award he won in August 2001, his lawyer said.

International Game Technology had asked a Nevada court to void a jury verdict that awarded Collins $15 million, Collins attorney Jim Gilreath said Friday. But the judge denied IGT's motion to render the verdict void.

Collins is expecting a $20 million payoff - the $15 million award plus interest - from IGT, Gilreath said.

Collins claimed the company broke a contract with him that gave him exclusive rights to distribute its machines in South Carolina.

"Defendant has made this argument at least five times before the South Carolina Court of Appeals, South Carolina Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court," wrote Nevada District Judge Brent Adams. "Each court has rejected this argument."

IGT lawyer Ronald Boston of Columbia did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

The U.S. Supreme Court in December rejected the company's last appeal of the jury award Collins won in Horry County.

IGT is fighting Collins' efforts to collect in Nevada, where the company is based, Gilreath said.

Source: The Sun Nevada