Man Wins $1.6M Jackpot - Casino Won’t Pay
Gary Hoffman thought he had achieved every slot players’ dream last year while playing the nickel slot machines at the Sandia Resort and Casino on an Indian reservation in New Mexico. He put in his money and appeared to hit the jackpot when the machine said he won nearly $1.6 million.
The nickel slot said he’d won $1,597,244.10. Patrons and casino employees came to congratulate him. He even got a marriage proposal, Hoffman said.
Unfortunately, his celebration was short lived when Hoffman was brought into a room at the casino. A casino employee “became quite intimidating with me, pointed his finger in my face and said, ‘You didn’t win. We’re not paying you any money. Do you understand what I’m telling you? You’re not getting any money,’” Hoffman said.
The casino claimed a computer malfunction was the reason he appeared to win hit the jackpot.
“I was a winner and I walked out empty handed,” Hoffman said.
Computer Malfunction
A technical report said the slot machine’s computer malfunctioned, and incorrectly made it appear as if Hoffman won more than the machine is able to pay out. The slot machine has a disclaimer that says it pays a maximum of $2,500 and warns that malfunctions void all winnings, said Paul Bardacke, Sandia’s lawyer.
Source: ABC
