|
|
Casino coupon error gives 11,000 people $525
Gambling: Casino coupon error gives 11,000 people $525
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.
AP and Lottery Post Staff
We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums.
If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment.
13 comments. Last comment 4 years ago by .
Coastal Georgia United States Member #2703 October 30, 2003 1868 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 9:58 am - IP Logged |
|
Looks like Christmas has came early for lots of people !!!!!
|
|
|
chicago United States Member #3746 February 10, 2004 382 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 11:10 am - IP Logged |
|
Why do I play at Empress?? I am sure most of these people will blow it back to the slot machines anyway!
|
|
|
BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI United States Member #19970 August 3, 2005 613 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 11:43 am - IP Logged |
|
100 thousand sent out good time to look at junk mail in chicago
|
|
|
Slide It In United States Member #4842 May 23, 2004 1299 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 11:45 am - IP Logged |
|
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.
|
|
|
Greenwich, CT United States Member #4879 May 24, 2004 1822 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 2:53 pm - IP Logged |
|
I'm sure Harrah's will be going after someone to recover the money.
|
|
|
Coastal Georgia United States Member #2703 October 30, 2003 1868 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 3:03 pm - IP Logged |
|
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...........
|
|
|
Hamilton, OH United States Member #4236 March 27, 2004 176 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 10:07 pm - IP Logged |
|
some will cash them for christmas presents. Hurray
|
|
|
oklahoma United States Member #12548 March 10, 2005 165 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 21, 2005, 11:28 pm - IP Logged |
|
I would Go straight to the $5 slots and chunk like a madman! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!! 
|
|
|
United States Member #436 June 30, 2002 675 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 23, 2005, 8:09 am - IP Logged |
|
I would Go straight to the $5 slots and chunk like a madman!
Nah...one spin, pick red or black. Double up.
|
|
|
Huntsville AL United States Member #16820 June 1, 2005 61 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 23, 2005, 8:17 am - IP Logged |
|
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.
|
|
|
Sparta, NJ United States Member #18644 July 9, 2005 1977 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 23, 2005, 9:08 am - IP Logged |
|
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. 
|||::> *'`*:-.,_,.-:*''*:--->>> Chewie <<<---.*''*:-.,_,.-:*''* <:::|||
I only trust myself - and that's a questionable choice
|
|
|
|
United States
Member #380
June 5, 2002
11297 Posts
Offline
|
| Posted: November 23, 2005, 12:21 pm - IP Logged |
|
Why didn't I get one of those coupons? I drove through Illinois last month.
|
|
|
United States Member #24723 October 21, 2005 618 Posts Offline |
| Posted: November 23, 2005, 1:03 pm - IP Logged |
|
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 
|
|
|
|