A New York mother is furious after being denied a $43 million slot machine jackpot she thought she hit, instead being offered a steak dinner.
Katrina Bookman of Queens was gambling at Resorts World Casino near La Guardia Airport in August, when a slot machine suddenly told her, "Printing cash ticket. $42,949,672.76."
Woman thinks she won $43 million in slot machine malfunction https://t.co/sb0vCrJfq7 pic.twitter.com/skUUyBAr6l
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) November 2, 2016
It wasn’t long before Bookman was surrounded by customers and casino personnel as she celebrated her win and was eventually escorted from the casino floor. She was told to return the next day, USA Today reports.
As an unemployed mother of four who grew up in foster care, Bookman had already started daydreaming about how to make use of the money.
But when she returned to the casino the next day, Bookman says she was told she didn’t win anything as the machine was malfunctioning. In fact, the New York State Gaming Commission told Bookman the machine is only supposed to pay out a maximum win of $6,500.
A disclaimer on all machines in the casino reads, "Malfunctions void all pays and plays."
Bookman, however, didn’t even win the maximum – according to the gaming commission, her actual winnings totaled only $2.25. As a gesture, the casino offered her a steak dinner, which she refused.
The machine, meanwhile, was soon repaired and returned to the casino floor.
Bookman has contacted an attorney, USA Today reports. Attorney Alan Ripka apparently believes Bookman should at least be entitled to the maximum payout of $2,500.
