The winner of a $43,000,000 jackpot at a casino has shared her experience after being offered a steak dinner instead of her winnings.
In 2017, Katrina Bookman visited the Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, New York, and decided to try her luck on the slot machines.
To her amazement, the machine displayed a staggering total of over $43 million as her prize after she spun it.
Katrina recalled feeling ‘numb’ upon seeing the life-changing amount on the screen.
However, the excitement was short-lived after she informed a casino staff member about her win.
When Katrina returned to the casino the next day, she was told that the casino would not be paying out the massive figure shown on the screen, instead indicating her actual win was just $2.25.
As an apology for the confusion, the casino offered her a free steak dinner.
Katrina spoke out following her near win.
She told Inside Edition: “Yes of course I felt very robbed.”
When asked about how she felt being offered a steak dinner instead of the winnings, she responded: “Really? Like are you serious? I mean, I felt insulted.”
Her lawyer, Alan Ripka, commented to the outlet: “If the machine malfunctioned in any way shape or form, it’s not the fault of the patron and they have to make good on what they displayed.”
However, the casino had a disclaimer stating that malfunctions on the machines would void any winnings.
Resorts World spokesperson Dan Bank told CNN at the time: “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.
“After explaining the circumstances to Ms. 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 Ms. Bookman for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Katrina sued for the winnings, but a judge ultimately ruled in favor of the casino, meaning she did not receive either the $43 million or the $2.25.
Adding insult to injury, she did not even get the steak dinner.