1 February 2018
Katrina Bookman won $42.9 million, Jerry Rape won $1.3 million and Veronica Castilla hit the $8.5 million jackpot at different casinos, playing different jackpot slot machines. Their celebration lasted barely a few minutes, when they had the unpleasant experience of security approaching and giving them the bad news – their winnings are declared invalid since the machines have supposedly malfunctioned!
Katrina was so stoked she even took a picture next to her machine to capture the moment of becoming a millionaire, only to realise a few moments later that something was wrong. She received the information that her winnings were, in fact, a result of a broken machine. Obviously, Katrina was very, very disappointed.
Katrina Bookman played the “Sphinx Slot Machine” at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York in August 2016 when the screen popped up saying that she won $42,949,672.76, the New York Daily News reported. Bookman, excited thinking she won a great prize, took a selfie with the screen in the background. Katrina Bookman was already thinking about what she would do with all that money back in August as she took a selfie beside the slot machine that said: Printing Cash Ticket.
Let’s watch how it all happened:
Caesars palace poker. There are cases when people were so enraged by similar events that they filed lawsuits and hired law representatives to settle a legal dispute with the casino. Even though gaming officials are trying constantly to reassure casino users that mistakes are extremely rare and the machines are inspected regularly, the bitter taste in one’s mouth stays there for quite a while.
It really is a tragedy; to become a millionaire in an instant, and have it all revoked the very next minute. Concerning recent occurrences, Heather Songer of the Washington State Gambling Commission stated that major machine malfunctions are remarkably rare, on a nationwide scale. Therefore, casino customers should feel the certainty each time they choose a slot game that the machine will run smoothly and work properly on every level, including payouts.
Katrina Bookman captured national attention last year when she played a 'Sphinx Slot Machine' at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, and it appeared as though she'd won $43 million - which. Bookman's voice cracks when she remembers her short lived joy. She's used to disappointment. Raised in foster care, homeless as a teen, Katrina raised 4 kids, who graduated high school, all.
You wouldn’t think something like this could happen in technologically advanced world like ours, but the fact remains that certain pieces of software and hardware malfunction from time to time despite being inspected and tested on a regular basis. When your blender malfunctions, it’s a pity but no real damage is caused. You can fix it or replace it and get on with your blending. When it comes to slot machines, malfunctioning has greater consequences. Saying that the casino claims the slot malfunctioned on the exact spin you hit the jackpot with is an unpleasant surprise – is putting it lightly.
Each time the casino claims the winnings are not valid is a mishap, but when it happens on a huge win – it’s when it hurts the most. In a dramatic twist, you’ve lost the satisfaction of having won a small fortune and you know a moment like that may never come again, and even if it does it may take ages.
A shadow of doubt remains with the lucky-turned-unlucky bettors mentioned; a suspicion that they may have been deprived of what is theirs. Some still believe they will eventually receive their rewards. The fact remains that Katrina, Jerry and Veronica played slots that somehow awarded them with jackpots the casinos weren’t able to pay out as they exceeded the machines’ limits. The machines have supposedly malfunctioned and that’s that, for now. Gambling comes with a series of risks, and slot machine malfunctions can be listed as one of the rare, but unsavoury hazards of the trade.
A slot machine told her she hit a massive jackpot, but the casino claimed it was a machine error and offered her a meal on the house. Now, she's taking this to court.
Katrina Bookman captured national attention last year when she played a 'Sphinx Slot Machine' at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, and it appeared as though she'd won $43 million -- which would have been the largest jackpot ever won on the slots in U.S. history. She excitedly snapped a selfie with the screen, believing her life was forever changed.
But when Bookman came to collect her prize, a casino worker told her she hadn't actually won anything and offered her nothing but a complimentary steak dinner and $2.25.
Bookman's lawyer said she did not accept either the dinner or the $2.25.
At the time, Resorts World spokesman Dan Bank apologized and told CNN that 'casino personnel were able to determine that the figure displayed on the penny slot was the result of an obvious malfunction -- a fact later confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission.'
Katrina Bookman Lawsuit
The New York State Gaming Commission also said in August that the machine displayed a disclaimer stating, 'Malfunctions void all pays and plays.'
Bookman's attorney Alan Ripka says he has been fighting for months to get the casino to pony up more cash for Bookman, but to no avail. So, on June 14, he filed a lawsuit.
Ripka also says the casino's excuses are 'ridiculous.'
'You can't claim a machine is broken because you want it to be broken. Does that mean it wasn't inspected? Does it mean it wasn't maintained?,' Ripka told CNNMoney. 'And if so, does that mean that people that played there before [Bookman] had zero chance of winning?'
Katrina Bookman Lawsuit 2018
Ripka also said he's asked Resorts World Casino to explain how the machine malfunctioned, but the company did not offer him anything.
The complaint alleges that Resorts World Casino was 'negligent' and did not adequately maintain their lottery equipment. It also posits that Bookman suffered 'mental anguish' as a result of the incident and she sustained a 'significant' monetary setback because she 'lost the chance and/or opportunity to win' on the machine.
The complaint also names video lottery operator Genting New York LLC -- which is Resorts World Casino's parent company -- and slot machine maker International Game Technology as defendants.
Ripka says he plans to seek at least $43 million in damages.
The casino did not immediately respond to CNNMoney's request for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The suit is similar to an earlier case against an Iowa casino.
Katrina Bookman Lawsuit Pending
The Chicago Tribune reported that a court ruled in favor of an Iowa casino when a penny slot machine indicated that a 90-year-old woman won $41 million. The court ruled that 'the game's rules capped jackpots at $10,000 and didn't allow bonuses,' according to the newspaper.