Roughly 11,000 patrons of Harrah's Joliet Casino in Illinois got a big surprise in the mail last week: a coupon good for $525 in wagering.
But casino officials were surprised more than anyone else.
The casino's direct-marketing vendor mistakenly made the coupons for an amount much higher than the usual $15 to $20 that was intended to be the value, Harrah's said.
The company will honor the coupons, which were sent out last week, said Harrah's Illinois regional president Joe Domenico. The announcement came after the Illinois Gaming Board was deluged by complaints from people who said they were told by casino workers the coupons were no good, said gaming board spokesman Gene O'Shea.
"There were a lot of customers who went to Harrah's expecting to be paid," O'Shea said. "There were a lot of angry patrons."
The casino, owned by Las Vegas-based Harrah's Entertainment Inc., has not said how much money it could lose from the coupon error. The coupons' total value is about $5.8 million.
Looks like Christmas has came early for lots of people !!!!!
Why do I play at Empress?? I am sure most of these people will blow it back to the slot machines anyway!
100 thousand sent out good time to look at junk mail in chicago
I would think Harrah's would be delighted with the mistake!
They should have only contracted with a direct marketing company that was bonded and insured against a problem like that and have the marketing companies' insurance pay for the mistake.
I'm sure Harrah's will be going after someone to recover the money.
They won't have to worry about recovering the money-
When the patrons use the coupons in the casino, Harrahs will get the money back and then some...........
some will cash them for christmas presents. Hurray
I would Go straight to the $5 slots and chunk like a madman!
I would Go straight to the $5 slots and chunk like a madman!
Nah...one spin, pick red or black. Double up.
Depends on what type of coupon. If it is match play you have to put up the amount of coupon as the bet. Some you turn it in and get cash. Shereton in Tunica you get a credit to play on certain Machines and can only cash out winnings.
Isn't "initowin" correct? Shouldn't the vender have insurance for these type of mistakes? That being the case, take the coupons and have fun. Gamblers get free money. The casino get publicity. The insurance copy loses a few bucks.
Why didn't I get one of those coupons? I drove through Illinois last month.
You win and loose; usually the gambler. This time the luck changed. Good thing they ae honoring the coupons. Now why was I not there