A California high-roller who is suing the MGM Grand in Las Vegas over claims he lost $2 million after being drugged with ketamine at the iconic casino headed to court for a secret hearing this week.

Dwight Manley, 60, alleged that he was spiked while playing blackjack at the famed Sin City casino during a trip in December 2021.

He sued the company after claiming he was unwittingly drugged with the sedative, which can cause confusion, hallucinations, short-term memory loss and is often used by veterinarians to tranquilize animals. 

When he first brought his lawsuit in October 2023, Manley offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to whoever allegedly drugged him, a reward that has still not been claimed three years on. 

Manley’s case was heard in a US District Court in Nevada on Monday, in a closed-door hearing to discuss a possible settlement to the case, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

The outcome of the hearing has not been disclosed and it is unclear if MGM and Manley reached a settlement over the wild claims. The Daily Mail contacted both parties for comment. 

Manley claimed in his lawsuit that he was known as a VIP player in Las Vegas and was invited by MGM to stay in the hotel with his much younger girlfriend Natalie, who is now his wife. 

The sports agent, who once counted NBA stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone as clients, said in his complaint that his night of fun turned into a nightmare after someone allegedly put ketamine in one of his cocktails. 

Dwight Manley (right), a high-profile Los Angeles sports agent who worked for Dennis Rodman, claims he had his drink spiked with ketamine while gambling at Las Vegas’s MGM Resort in 2021 

Manley claimed in his lawsuit that he was known as a VIP player in Las Vegas, and said the alleged drugging came after he was invited by MGM to stay in the hotel with his much-younger girlfriend Natalie, who is now his wife (seen together) 

Manley first made his name at the age of 23 by making millions buying undervalued coins and selling them for huge profits before going on to become a famed sports agent and property developer in Los Angeles. 

As Malone’s agent, Manley made headlines in 1999 by negotiating a staggering $66.5 million deal for the player. 

He was also agent to Dennis Rodman during the player’s time at the Chicago Bulls, after first meeting the NBA legend at a blackjack table during a trip to Las Vegas in the early 1990s. 

By 2021, Manley was a well-known gambler in Sin City. He claimed in his lawsuit that MGM promised him a fully expenses-paid trip to their resort due to his high-roller status. 

The perks of the trip included use of a company plane, luxury car transport and a stay at the MGM Mansion – an ultra-exclusive, private residence away from regular guests. 

The lawsuit states that he entered the mansion’s high-limit section at around 1.45pm on December 10, 2021 and ordered an Old Fashioned cocktail to drink. 

But he said the drink tasted ‘bitter,’ and after finishing the cocktail he said he felt disoriented and ‘out of it.’ 

Once one of the biggest agents in all of LA, Manley – seen here in 1999 at a game of old client Karl Malone – is also a renowned coin collector and real estate mogul 

By 2021, Manley was a well-known gambler in Sin City, and claimed in his lawsuit that MGM promised him a fully expenses paid trip to their resort due to his high-roller status 

He claimed he felt so inebriated by 4pm that he shattered an ashtray and cut his hand, but did not even feel that he was bleeding on the blackjack table. 

Manley alleged that casino staff only gave his friends Band-Aids for his cut hand and continued allowing him to raise his credit limit maximum despite being so intoxicated. 

He said he went on to raise his credit limit three separate times to a total of $3.5 million, all while having no recollection of playing the high-stakes games, according to his lawsuit. 

Manley claimed he eventually left without realizing he had left $500,000 in chips on the table after staying three hours in the high-limit area.

The sports agent said by 4.45pm, his friends and girlfriend had to take him back to his villa because he couldn’t stand or walk without assistance before he passed out 15 minutes later. 

Manley, a fixture in 90s-era sports who also represented NBA top scorer Karl Malone, claimed he had no recollection of gambling away $2 million 

Manley said he woke up the next morning with no memory of his antics in the casino and nauseous and groggy. 

Manley said he sought medical help after leaving Las Vegas soon after and doctors told him to grow his hair out so they could test it for drugs. 

According to his lawsuit, the tests showed that he had ketamine in his system. 

He is seeking unspecified damages over $75,000 and says he should not be held accountable for the raised credit markers.

He accused MGM of negligence, unfair or deceptive trade practices, unjust enrichment and breach of implied covenant. 

The casino in turn filed a motion to dismiss portions of Manley’s suit, including claims of negligence and those linked to Nevada’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.