Casino refuses to pay out $43M jackpot to Katrina Bookman
In August 2016, Katrina Bookman walked into Resorts World Casino in New York and won a staggering $42,949,672 on a game called Sphinx Wild. However, the casino informed her that her win was voided due to a game malfunction.
Despite the casino's confirmation of the malfunction, Bookman, represented by attorney Alan Ripka, has been fighting to secure her winnings through legal means. The casino, on the other hand, has refused to pay out, citing a legal precedent that allows casinos to refuse payouts when explicit malfunctions are registered in the software.
The case reflects a reality where minor software glitches can produce incorrect messages, which are instantly voided according to the rules. Another similar case involves Pauline McKee, who won $1.85 but was shown a message of $41,797,550.16 due to a malfunction.
Ripka argues that a machine cannot be considered broken just because someone claims it is, questioning the maintenance and inspection of the machine. He maintains that Bookman is owed at least $6,500, the maximum payable amount by the penny slot.
However, the judge in Queens County Supreme Court ruled that Bookman was not owed anything by the casino. This ruling, like many players, has left Bookman and others questioning the fairness of the situation.
Bookman initially refused an offer of a steak dinner and $2.25 of her winnings from the casino. Despite the ruling, she has continued her efforts to secure her winnings.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused delays in bringing the case to court, and as of now, there is no confirmed information about a successful lawsuit or payout for Bookman. The search results mention a woman suing a casino over a $43 million jackpot dispute but do not specify Katrina Bookman or details about the case resolution.
The New York State Gaming Commission later confirmed the malfunction of the machine, but the legal battle between Bookman and Resorts World Casino continues. The casino, for its part, has apologised for the inconvenience but has stood firm on its position not to pay out the winnings.
Casinos are often associated with big-wins, as evidenced by Katrina Bookman's initial $42,949,672 win at Resorts World Casino in 2016. However, despite casino games like Sphinx Wild being designed for responsible gambling, malfunctions can lead to voided payouts, as seen in Bookman's case and similar incidents such as Pauline McKee's $41,797,550.16 win. The ongoing legal battle between Bookman and Resorts World Casino underscores the complexity of determining when a win is valid and when it's voided due to glitches, raising questions about the fairness of casino-and-gambling.
