Katrina Bookman’s loose change nearly turned into stacks of cash. While playing a Sphinx slot machine at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, Bookman thought she hit the jackpot of $42.9 million, and even took a selfie with her winnings for proof. But when she notified the casino’s customer service, they squashed her joy and said the machine experienced a malfunction.
ABC News reports that Bookman, who aims to sue the establishment, was ushered away from the machine when casino personnel suggested that she return to Resorts World the next day for their ruling on paying out the mega millions. But upon their follow-up, Bookman said they only offered her a steak dinner and told her, “You didn’t win nothing.”
Bookman’s attorney, Alan Ripka, states the casino should pay his client the max amount that one could gain on the machine, which is $6,500. “They win and the house doesn’t want to pay out,” Ripka said. “To me that’s unfair.”
With future plans already made in her head, Bookman sought to help out her community and her son in his hopes of owning a barbershop. “I kept thinking about my family,” she said. The faulty machine has been repaired since the incident.
The New York State Gaming Commission sides with Resorts World, highlighting their rule that “malfunctions void all pays and plays.” The entity also feels Bookman’s correct winnings was a mere $2.25.