A woman has sued a casino after being offered a steak dinner in place of the $43,000,000 jackpot she won.
I'd have some questions about that, too.
Katrina Bookman, a New York native, was playing the Sphinx slot machine at Resorts World Casino in Queens when the screen suddenly flashed what appeared to be a life-changing win: $42,949,672.76, per the BBC.
Bookman took a selfie with the machine to capture the moment, the screen clearly displaying, "printing cash ticket $42,949,672.76."
But according to Bookman, the dream quickly unraveled. She claims she was escorted from the casino that same day and told to return the next day for an “official ruling.”
When she asked casino staff: “What did I win?” she was allegedly told: “You didn’t win nothing.”
Instead of the nearly $43 million jackpot, the casino offered Bookman $2.25 and a steak dinner.
So, Bookman decided to sue the casino.
Her lawsuit, filed at the Queens County Supreme Court, targeted Resorts World Casino and two gaming companies responsible for the machine’s manufacturing and operation.
The complaint alleged common law negligence, breach of contract, and negligent misrepresentation.
Bookman’s attorney, Alan Ripka, said his client was entitled to the full amount shown.
“You can’t claim a machine is broken because you want it to be broken,” Ripka told CNN Money.
“Does that mean it wasn’t inspected? Does it mean it wasn’t maintained? And if so, does that mean that people that played there before [Bookman] had zero chance of winning?”
He also argued: “The machine takes your money when you lose. It ought to pay it when you win.”
The casino, however, insists it was an “obvious malfunction.”
A spokesperson cited that the Sphinx slot machine wasn’t supposed to pay out more than $6,500. The New York State Gaming Commission backed the casino, pointing out that the machine includes a disclaimer: “Malfunctions void all pays and plays.”
But Ripka isn't buying it. According to him, the casino never provided a clear explanation for how the slot machine allegedly failed. “The excuses given by the casino were ridiculous,” he said.
The lawsuit also highlighted the emotional toll the incident took on Bookman.
Raised in foster care, homeless as a teen, and a single mother of four, she had hoped the windfall could change her family's life.
Speaking to WABC, she said: “I kept thinking about my family. The struggle I’ve been through, it’s hard to cope.”
She had already envisioned using the winnings to open a barbershop for her son and give back to her community. Instead, she says the experience left her depressed, anxious, and embarrassed.
Even as the machine was reportedly removed, repaired, and returned to the casino floor, Ripka insisted that Bookman should at least receive the game’s maximum possible payout of $6,500 if the full amount isn’t awarded.
According to Casino.org, Bookman's case was delayed due to the Covid pandemic before a judge at Queens County Supreme Court ultimately ruled in favor of the defendants, stating that the machine had in fact malfunctioned and did display the warning message: "Malfunctions void all pays and plays."