The decision settles a class action lawsuit brought by blackjack players who claimed they were entitled to better odds than what they received at lower-stakes tables.
In its ruling, the high court said less expensive blackjack tables can pay out a winning “blackjack” at three six dollars for every five dollars bet (6:5) instead of the traditional three dollars for every two dollars bet (3:2).
The lawsuit argued that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was inconsistent in its clarification of blackjack odds, something the court did not dispute. The commission most recently amended its blackjack regulations in October 2020.
Nonetheless, the plaintiffs sat down at tables with lower payouts clearly labeled.
“The plaintiffs sat down at tables with the basic rules and 6:5 payouts printed on the felt of the table, were dealt blackjacks, and won,” the court wrote.
“As an initial matter, the plaintiffs contend that the regulations carry more legal weight than the rules of blackjack, and thus any conflict between the regulations and the rules should be resolved in favor of the regulations. We disagree. In these cases, the blackjack rules and regulations carry equal weight, as they are proposed and approved through similarly rigorous processes.”
The 31-page ruling was filled with gambling puns, lest the judges let such a decision go to waste.
“Therefore, the plaintiffs lose this last bet,” the court wrote. “They should have quit while they were ahead.”
