Casino refuses to pay 57 million slot winner

[MartinBlank]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/13/behar-merlaku-casino_n_1146208.html?1323802868

Sure, plenty of people leave casinos feeling like they got swindled, but not like Behar Merlaku.

According to the Daily Mail, the Swiss gambler was convinced he had won a slot machine jackpot worth $57 million at a casino in Bregenz, Austria. But when he went to claim his prize, casino officials told him the machine had suffered from a software error and should not have awarded the jackpot.

Apparently, though the jackpot alarms went off, the slot machine only showed four matching symbols instead of the required five. Merlaku was offered $100 and a free meal for his troubles.

Instead of accepting the offer, Merlaku decided to sue the casino. Interestingly, in their defense, casino officials note that Austrian law forbids jackpots of more than two million euros, according to the Mail.

But Gizmodo wonders how the casino can be so sure that the problem was a software error:The owners say it's a software glitch, but wouldn't it be possible the mistake was on the display instead of the result? Perhaps the rolling mechanism got jammed and the machine correctly called the jackpot while showing an erroneous symbol.

[HoulihansTX]

Never would happen in Vegas. Win and you get paid.

[stikymess]

We had one years ago here in Arizona, Harrahs refused to pay and stuck with it, lawyers were hired and the maker of the machine stepped up and paid the jackpot, no where near $57 million, think it was 2-3 million minus lawyer fees which has to suck. Things are hard enough to win, except for Fishhead.

Hope more is offered to settle than 100 and a free meal.

[pokernut9999]

He has no claim , read the article.

[bswagos]

Never would happen in Vegas. Win and you get paid.

Incorrect. Read the machine. Machine malfunction voids pays.

[warriorfan707]

I didnt read the article but thats some fukked up shady shit.

[Naz18]

This happens a few times a year...

[DrStale]

LOL at the 100 bucks and a free meal offer. Unless his chance of winning the lawsuit is about one in a million thats def -EV.

"You just lost out on 57 million dollars, but we'd like to buy you a hamburger for your trouble"

[HoulihansTX]

The consolation offer was a complete slap in the face. Practically a pat on the head, and kick in the ass.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

Happens all the time. And the casino always wins these suits. Hell on any machine it says any and all malfunctions are considered void.

[warriorfan707]

LOL at the 100 bucks and a free meal offer. Unless his chance of winning the lawsuit is about one in a million thats def -EV.

"You just lost out on 57 million dollars, but we'd like to buy you a hamburger for your trouble"

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

Jackpots are set on a seeded algorithym. In court all they do is prove that it wasnt suppose to hit at that time based on those facts

[neverstoppers23]

LOL, the guy has no case at all. Seriously, i know its a bum you thought you were rich and never had to work again, and probably lose it all within 15 years. but move on, you didn't win.

[Romocide]

LOL, the guy has no case at all. Seriously, i know its a bum you thought you were rich and never had to work again, and probably lose it all within 15 years. but move on, you didn't win.

If it was truly a bum, then the casino's offer is stupid. They could have offered 5-10k right there and he would have accepted. They'll pay a lot more than that now in legal fees. Not to mention receiving the stigma of not paying out, which they're sure to receive to a point, regardless of them being completely in the right.

[Grits n' Gravy]

Common sense would dictate that no slot jackpot in the world is going to pay 57 mil. I don't think MegaBucks which is the largest WAP, has ever topped 35 mil. Either a display malfunction that showed prize of 57 mil or machine locked up for the 4 symbols. The guy isn't going to get paid and if the same situation was to happen in Vegas he wouldn't get paid from the casino either unless GCB ruled in his favor.

[crustyme]

this has happened to me.

i was playing one of those video slots and i enter a bonus round which would have paid at a min $200 but it completely freezes.

the manager happily refunded my $2 bet.

[dredmahawkus]

that sucks too cuz some of those machines you put 100 in to get to the bonus round cuz you know you will get the 200 bonus

[Hankwins]

was clearly an error but they shouls have gave him the max payout that was worth a few mil

[DOMINATER]

wow , that is so sad, you know I really have that kind of luck not to that extreme ,but I am a lucky dog.

[Scooter]

Never would happen in Vegas. Win and you get paid.

Insanely naive post.

Happens once in a while, in Vegas and elsewhere. There is no pay on a machine malfunction.

Whether it is a machine malfunction or a true jackpot is another issue - that's what lawyers do.
But the majority of the time, the customer loses the suit.

[ChalkyDog]

Winning is called a "Machine Malfunction". By basic definition and logic, that means the machine is rigged, as it's function is to make you lose. Yet people still "poor" their hard earned money into one, and play the online casinos.

Can't fix stupid.

[Marigold HD]

Lol. "here is a meal for you". I can't believe that's all they can come up with. Unreal. Too funny. And I'm watching Vegas Vacation while I type this.

[Fang-Banger]

At least offer the guy a hooker at the penthouse suite...but $100??...smh...

[vividjohn45]

nice try buddy. looks like ur missing a burger.

[McBa1n]

If a machine glitches, and someone wins - they should take down the pot.
That's my opinion. F the regulators and blah blah, mistakes happen.
If you f up and bet more than you wanted to on a bet, do you get that money back? No. So why kill the earnings of this fellow? Right or wrong, when you screw up, the casino gets paid. If the casino f's up, they should pay... If it's not going both ways, then F the casinos.
I realize them pretty lights ain't cheap, but a mistake MUST be paid off, because casinos get paid off of mistakes hundreds of times per hour.

[SBR Lou]

The SBR Book and Casino is taking notes.

[OnkelChris]

Just to keep you updated in that case. First court hearing was about three weeks ago. The lawyer from the casino offered a 500.000€ compound to the player. Do not know if it was the best idea but the player rejected that offer.

[cant call it]

The SBR Book and Casino is taking notes.

[Hotdiggity11]

That better be one damn good free meal.

[darkhat]

Jackpots are set on a seeded algorithym. In court all they do is prove that it wasnt suppose to hit at that time based on those facts

yep..

[OnkelChris]

Well if the casino would not know for sure they have probably to pay a seven figured amount to the player they would not offer a 500.000€ compound, would they?

[baskets]

These slot machines always testify in favor of the casino. And why not, they live in the casino's house? Fukking scared ass slot machines.

Makes you think. Did those slot machines out on the strip on the outside in the open air.... did they threaten to testify against the casino?

[2 Kids]

they wont pay better off taking the 100 and giving it to the waitress for a handjob

[Grits n' Gravy]

If a machine glitches, and someone wins - they should take down the pot.
That's my opinion. F the regulators and blah blah, mistakes happen.
If you f up and bet more than you wanted to on a bet, do you get that money back? No. So why kill the earnings of this fellow? Right or wrong, when you screw up, the casino gets paid. If the casino f's up, they should pay... If it's not going both ways, then F the casinos.
I realize them pretty lights ain't cheap, but a mistake MUST be paid off, because casinos get paid off of mistakes hundreds of times per hour.

Actually, a lot of slot supervisors will reimburse you if you accidentally bet more than you meant and don't act like a douchebag. It's called goodwill. Happens a lot on multi-denom games and video poker when a card that anybody with a brain would hold didn't hold. Sometimes results in a taxable jackpot. The lawsuit in question has zero merit for the player. NO slot jackpot pays 57 mil.

[QuantumLeap]

Common sense would dictate that no slot jackpot in the world is going to pay 57 mil. I don't think MegaBucks which is the largest WAP, has ever topped 35 mil. Either a display malfunction that showed prize of 57 mil or machine locked up for the 4 symbols. The guy isn't going to get paid and if the same situation was to happen in Vegas he wouldn't get paid from the casino either unless GCB ruled in his favor.

This is why slot machines list the payouts on the outside of the machine. If this casino in question was smart they would have listed the payouts as well and it would be painfully obvious that this $57 million was a software glitch since no possible payout listed on the outside would pay this..