Deal Collapses in Atlantic City Unshuffled Cards Case

A deal to pay gamblers who won more than $1.5 million while playing with unshuffled cards in Atlantic City has collapsed.

On Friday, the owner of the Golden Nugget said he would pay gamblers their disputed winnings, and turn his attention instead to the Kansas City card manufacturer who provided unshuffled decks for mini-baccarat games.

But Tilman Fertitta's offer was contingent on both sides dismissing lawsuits against each other, which lawyers for the gamblers refuse to do. They claim the gamblers have lost money on attorney fees and interest, and are angry at being labeled cheaters.

The casino has appealed a judge's order to pay the gamblers the remaining $1 million of what they won in April, and lawsuits on both sides will continue.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)