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stories filed under: "slot machine"
(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
casinos, slot machine, software

Companies:
sandia resort and casino



Yet Another Casino Yanks Jackpot Prize, Claiming Faulty Software

from the unlucky-sevens dept

Apparently faulty slot machines that always seem to malfunction when someone wins big are becoming more popular at casinos -- and they're now not awarding larger sums. Last year, we wrote about two guys in Canada who thought they had won $209,000 using a slot machine, only to be told that they didn't win and it was all a computer glitch. Earlier this year there was a similar story of a man apparently not winning $102,000 at a new casino in Pennsylvania. In that case, the negative press coverage convinced the casino to pay up. The latest such case takes place at the Sandia Resort and Casino in New Mexico, where a guy was told that his $1.6 million slot machine win was actually a computer malfunction. He's suing, but he might not have much of a case -- especially since the casino is on an Indian reservation, and not subject to the US court system. Also, in this case, it's a little more reasonable to understand why the guy might not have a strong case: apparently the machine clearly stated that the payouts were limited to $2,500. Still, it makes you wonder: for all these slot machines with faulty software that's suddenly discovered after people win... what happens when machines screw up the other way? Somehow, we doubt that the casinos call them up to a room in the back (as always seems to happen in these cases) and tells them the machine screwed up and they actually won.

42 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
(Mis)Uses of Technology

(Mis)Uses of Technology

by Mike Masnick


Filed Under:
casinos, slot machine, software

Companies:
caesars



Criminal Charges For Using A Slot Machine With Faulty Software?

from the could-happen dept

We've had a few stories over the years of casinos refusing to give out slot machine prizes claiming software glitches on the slot machines. But how about charging people with a crime for using a slot machine with faulty software? Slashdot points us to a story about prosecutors debating whether or not to charge a bunch of people with criminal charges for using a slot machine that incorrectly credited every $1 as if it were $10. Now, clearly, the maker of the slot machine and the casino itself need to take some of the blame here, but prosecutors are saying (correctly) that if people knew the slot machine was doing this and used it on purpose for that reason, that's fraud. Even if that may be correct from a legal standpoint, it still looks bad. Caesars and the slot machine company should have tested the machine, and either way, charging people for criminal behavior for simply using your faulty machines can't be good for publicity.

39 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 
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