Woman 'denied' $43m slot machine jackpot offered steak dinner instead
According to Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, the slot machine had malfunctioned. PHOTO SOURCE: WABC
A New York woman thought she had hit it big at a casino until she was told that the near $43 million figure displayed was a technical glitch and was offered a complimentary steak dinner instead of money.
Katrina Bookman hit the jackpot on a slot machine in late August at Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, Queens. She even took an excited selfie with the machine displaying her winnings: $42,949,672.
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However, when she returned to the casino a day later, she was told she had won nothing. "I said, 'So what did I win? He said, 'You didn't win nothing,'" she told WABC.
According to the New York State Gaming Commission, the machine Bookman used that night had malfunctioned. All machines in the casino, including Bookman's had a disclaimer stating, "Malfunctions void all pays and plays." The woman was offered a complimentary steak dinner instead.
Bookman, who grew up in foster care and was a single parent to four children, said, "All I could think about was my family." The New York State Gaming Commission said that by law they could only award Bookman her actual winnings of $2.25, which the machine had printed.
Speaking to CNN, Resorts World spokesperson said, "Upon being notified of the situation, 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."
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"After explaining the circumstances to Bookman, we offered to pay her the correct amount that was shown on the printed ticket. Machine malfunctions are rare, and we would like to extend our apologies to Bookman for any inconvenience this may have caused."
Frustrated by the entire situation, Bookman said, "I should win the max. And I feel like I should treat him (the casino employee) to a steak dinner."
This article originally appeared on CNN.