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"Black Mesa Casino in New Mexico Refuses to Pay $54,000 in Accumulated Winnings Citing Mechanical Glitch in Slot Machine
Tommy Wilson, a 74-year-old player from Las Cruces, claims to have won $54,000 in accumulated winnings on a slot machine at the San Felipe Pueblo Casino. However, it has turned into a tense issue, as the Black Mesa Casino cited a system glitch in the slot machine, deeming the player's victory illegitimate.
The player spent around $100 on the Buffalo-themed slot machine on a disputed day, winning the substantial amount within five to six minutes. Or so he thought. Shortly after the slot machine announced the jackpot, it abruptly shut down. Other players who witnessed the event started congratulating him on his win, but that didn't convince the casino staff to acknowledge the actual victory. After conducting necessary diagnostics on the slot machine, they explained to Wilson that his win was illegitimate. The casino argued that they encountered a 'numeric or electronic malfunction,' and thus decided not to pay him.
A casino staff member informed Wilson that he could file a complaint with the Black Mesa Casino Gaming Commission, an independent body separate from the state regulatory authority (i.e., the Gaming Control Board). The commission is responsible for overseeing compliance with state and tribal gaming compacts.
However, Wilson claimed he was too distraught to lodge a complaint on the spot. He didn't take any photos of the winning slot machine screen or note the names of other players who witnessed the event. He failed to follow the procedure for submitting a complaint and instead went to Denver, where he had a job interview arranged. Later that week, he returned to the Black Mesa Casino, deciding to file a complaint and claim his jackpot.
After the casino requested his phone number and email address, he decided to try his luck on the same slot machine again. Within 30 minutes, he won two more times on the same machine that had initially brought him a massive jackpot last week. Wilson recalled that the game had a lion/Africa theme, likely named 'African King.' He won $1,226 and $1,446 despite his good fortune. Still unemployed and recently having undergone triple bypass surgery, the player seeks justice. He stated, 'Justice will come in the form of karma.'
Wilson added that he is even willing to accept the $50,000 the casino offered as an apology. However, the casino comped the player 'for free.' The casino conducted a promotion that offered $10 in free play bonus to veterans and active-duty military members every Wednesday." |
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