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."
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 said. "And if so, does that mean that people that played there before [Bookman] had zero chance of winning?"
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.
Ripkin says he plans to seek at least $43 million in damages.
The casino did not immediately respond to request for comment regarding the lawsuit.
The suit is similar to an earlier case against an Iowa casino.
In 2015, Lottery Post reported that a court ruled in favor of Isle Casino Hotel 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 website.
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Thanks to hearsetrax for the tip.
It might be nice if lotteries had an option of claiming a malfunction every time someone won the jackpot if they didn't want to pay up.
They've had it for years. It's called, "Oops, lets make that one a pre-test."
Mental Anguish? Bookman's claim is Nothing compared to Steve Harvey's ex after being more than a decade divorced.
The casino should at least pay her the max of $10,000.00 There is no way she will get a ruling of one penny more than that minus court fees and all headache.
Exactly.
Every spin is a "malfunction" if ya want to get technical about it.
It would be nice for her if she received a settlement of $10K. If that is the disclaimer on the machine she was playing. But I doubt it. Just like when you buy an instant ticket for winning so much for LIFE. If you are lucky enough to get that and then decide you want the cash option. Look at the disclaimer on the back of the ticket in very small print. You would only get half of the total guaranteed prize if you choose to play that game and take the one lump sum. "They" have most fooled by "their" rules. Watch out people. A good thing is not as good of a chance than you expect it to be.
I hope she did not eat the steak, if so, she committed to the "so called" deal she was given. I not, a good lawyer may be able to get her enough to pay for her fees and maybe a trip to a fast food restaurant for her family?
But you never know!
"Oops, lets make that one a pre-test."
Have you ever seen that happen on a live drawing? Aren't all the pre-tests done before then?
Only the live drawing counts regardless of what happened before or after.
cute pix of her. i would have not taken a pix, i would pass out i think lol
hope she win. wonder if she is on fb lol i would send her a hi, and tell her GL if she is.
Good a lawyer is taking her case, some don't. I hope she get something . A steak juicy dinner is not making up for that. a shame.
wishing her luck.
The lotteries do have the option of claiming a malfunction when a malfunction actually happens.
Since the maximum payout on that machine is $6,500 it has to be extremely obvious to anybody who's not amazingly stupid that there really was a malfunction. As with so many other things, when she decided to play she was agreeing to the rules, and if she didn't know what those rules were there's exactly one person who bears full responsibility.
Watch this. https://youtu.be/Moo5MN1Sxbk
Anyone who played slot machines or any lottery game knows you can't win $43 million betting a penny. The machine in the selfie says the machine is "printing cash ticket" for $43 million and "please remove ticket". Had she simply removed the $43 million ticket and if the selfie actually showed the winning combination, she would have a much better case.
Noticed this typo in the article.
First it calls the attorney Alan Ripka
But later it calls the attorney Ripkin
Ball shows up on results before it is drawn.
https://youtu.be/8DxUvX5tsqY
Balls got clogged up in machine.
https://youtu.be/pNOHHiPoP18