Man to sue Austrian casino after $57 million jackpot denied

Comment #33

RL-RANDOMLOGIC — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:31:43 GMT

Bob

If that happened to me I would call a lawyer right there and have the machine taken off line and

tagged. The malfunction could be determined by testing. If the machine test showed the machine

should have showed a match-5 then he might have a case for the 2 million.

RL

Comment #32

Stack47 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:18:55 GMT

Despite only getting four of the slot machine's five required matches, Mr. Merlaku was told he had won the massive jackpot complete with a winning bell and flashing screen.

All slot machines in legal casinos have void if malfunction signs and this one was obvious. If you matched 4 out of 5 on MM or PB and a clerk said you won the jackpot, would you expect to be paid

Comment #31

CARBOB — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:03:03 GMT

Ridge, you have a very valid point, but if that video does show 4 symbols, instead of 5, in my opinion, he doesn't stand a chance. He can't prove it was a malfunction, just because the alarm sound, and only 4 symbols showed, but you can take it to the bank, the casino's lawyers will try and prove a software glitch.

Comment #30

Lottery Playa — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:40:25 GMT

Not what Jesus would say!

If you claim to love Jesus so much, you sure in his name don't act like it.

Matthew 5:39

39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

You might want to dust off that Bible and learn about the REAL Jesus.

Comment #29

faber98 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:59:10 GMT

austrian casino's run by ex communist leaders. probably would've been taxed 98% by them anyway.

Comment #28

rcbbuckeye — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:41:51 GMT

This story reminds me of a casino in OK just across the border from TX. Not long after it opened a few years ago, there were news stories of people hitting jackpots on slot machines and not getting paid. At that point in time, I decided I didn't need to visit that casino.

No one can make a person go in there and play their games and take a chance on thinking you won and they say malfunction . LOL.

Comment #27

s5thomps — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:32:05 GMT

You do have a very valid point Ridge. He may may have a punchers chance if he decides to see this thing through to the end. I have a feeling that they are going to side with the casino though. The casino's have the slot machine manufactures in their back pocket and will almost certaintly rule it as a legitimate malfunction.

Comment #26

dr65 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:20:15 GMT

Excellent point!!

Now I wonder rdgrnr, do you happen to have a name or word to describe the people who can't wait to shoot off their 'that's life' responses?

I just wonder when faced with a similar injustice, would they be so quick to say ANYTHING about enforcing silly rules that would prevent them from

getting what they think they are due

Comment #25

CrazyHazyYay! — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:07:10 GMT

That's a very good point Ridge and you may be on to something, but how do you explain Austria's law that a jackpot cannot exceed 2 million euros? Wouldn't that be a malfunction in favor of the casinos then, since it's a crime to advertise/award jackpots that exceed the legal amount

Comment #24

rdgrnr — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:59:23 GMT

...A FINE OF 85% OF THE WINNING TO THE HOMELESS OR THE SCHOOL TEACHER'S...

LIB ALERT! LIB ALERT! LIB ALERT

Comment #23

weshar75 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:52:06 GMT

He got 4 out of the 5 matches. So they only owe him for a 4 out of 5 payout which is much less than what he wants but that is all he is owed. Casino games malfunction from time to time and they do not pay for this. So sounds like he will be getting probably $100 rather than the big jackpot he is looking for.-weshar75

Comment #22

rdgrnr — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:50:53 GMT

Everybody is saying that the malfunction was the machine saying he won the jackpot when he didn't have five of a kind.

How about if the malfunction was the machine not showing the five of a kind like it was supposed to

Comment #21

dr65 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:46:31 GMT

You know there are rules posted everywhere and usually they are in favor of the establishment...some are clear and some not so clear. I'm not

complaining about the rules...I will play the games but also will be looking for loopholes in their ironclad disclaimers when they seem to remove

them from responsibility in any way they can by bending them. Even McDonalds HOT COFFEE' warning wasn't enough to save them from a

lawsuit, now was it?? They got socked for millions.

I hope the jilted... [ More ]

Comment #20

Grovel — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:33:50 GMT

Don't play the game then complain about the rules being unfair. Like everyone else has said, every slot machine has a warning on it saying they do not pay if a malfunction occurs. They do not force you to put your money in.

Comment #19

dr65 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:29:51 GMT

Typical reaction/response...blame it on someone or something else. No accountability. The have no problem taking people's money though.

Comment #18

winwi5 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:25:31 GMT

They should really investigate these casinos because when jackpots go off they always have a reason not to pay people with this malfinction bullcrap

It has been alot of casinos that have been doing this lately and this should let people see they are corrupt and set up.

Comment #17

CrazyHazyYay! — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:17:42 GMT

What would Jesus do? He wouldn't be gambling, which is a sin in the Holy Bible. Not that I don't like me a lil' sin every now and then... or almost always hahaha I love poker and both Mega and Power. But seriously, you shouldn't bring up Jesus unless funds are coming strictly out of charity/donations, not gambling. Business world is a cold one at that, and if the law already said that it couldn't be over $2M, plus the winner only had 4 out of 5, then this man is @$% out of luck. When's the last... [ More ]

Comment #16

haymaker — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:16:00 GMT

your comment reminded me of a funny thing that used to happen when the slot machines were still electro-mechanical.

when there was a power failure,the casino's backup generators would kick in,this took about 4 seconds to occur.

when the power returned the machines would start dumping money in the payout tray even when when no one was playing them.

this sent the electricians,slot techs security ppl.scrambling.

doesn.t happen anymore,machines are now fully electronic.

Comment #15

TheGameGrl — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:53:24 GMT

Casinos have on each machine the warnings: Malfunctions do no pay.This can include software glitches.

Had an incident where the electricity went out when in a bonus round, when the machine rebooted,I was set back to the original amount I placed in the machine. Unfair,perhaps, but when gaming the RISK is there to win or lose.

This guy either doesnt read or doesn't understand the gaming rules. I do not agree with them banning him though for exerting his right to challenge the casino.

Comment #14

haymaker — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:47:22 GMT

i work at a ac. casino,your idea is a blanket punishment on many ppl. that have nothing to do w/ the problem and are just trying to make a living

a few years ago we had a shutdown,caused by a budget disagreement between the gov. and senators,just a few days,but it was a weekend in the summer.

i know more then one person that still has not recovered from this

Comment #13

B$Rizzle — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:39:13 GMT

Dearsha - if you think they should be penalized pay , then why not pay the guy who thought he'd won? Why do you think the penalty should go to the Homeless or the School teachers instead of the guy????

If anyone gets a payout from this, it should be the GUY who thought he hit the jackpot, not the homeless or teachers. What part did the homeless people have in this?? Please explain

Im confused on this one

Comment #12

maringoman — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 21:37:27 GMT

It must be very devastating to think that your financial worries are over only to be told that they are still very real.

I however think that casinos should start paying fines that go to the players who make the discovery that the machine is broken.

Say the machine breaks down and announces you have won $5M, the casino should offer you $10,000 for the adrenalin and emotions

that you go through the instant you think you have won big. $60 and a meal is not good enough, I think.

Comment #11

dpoly1 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:54:22 GMT

I only play blackjack on the very rare occasions that I go to a casino!

Winning big on Friday! Going Green the proper way .......... with money .............

Comment #10

dr65 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:40:17 GMT

I think he's going to have to settle for what he won according to the symbols.

4/5 with bells and whistles just isn't the same as 5/5 with bells and whistles.

Comment #9

Grovel — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:08:28 GMT

I have to agree. If all the numbers matched I would have sided with this guy. But this was clearly a mistake. His best hope is to try to settle outside of court.

Comment #8

CARBOB — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:53:47 GMT

However, this could be used against him in court because the video shows he only had four of the five symbols in a line; in Austria there must be five matches.

If the above statement is a fact, in my opinion, he doesn't stand a chance

Comment #7

GASMETERGUY — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:07:50 GMT

My sentiments exactly. How many JP at casinos have been hit only to be denied because of a malfunction? More than I am finding comfortable. That is why I stay out of casinos.

Comment #6

cbr$ — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:42:52 GMT

If Mr. Merlaku, is the same man that we read about a few months back , then this does't add up right .In the first report it was blame on a malfuntion machine , which you see signs all over the casino about why they don't paid for that . But now they are saying it the software which cause the problem, plus the jackpot was over their legal limit they should paid out. These story has two conflicting view . This don't add up to began with now I ' ll say it the casino need to paid- up. Then the casi... [ More ]

Comment #5

CLETU$ — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:26:20 GMT

I've seen this happen in casinos in my area,but not for this amount of money.It sucks but the casinos usually win.My personal opinion is they should pay when THEIR machine malfunctions.But,like I said,the casinos usually win.

Comment #4

TheRightPrice — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:40:46 GMT

Pay the man!

I have NEVER been to any slot machine where there is a disclaimer BEFORE you put in a $1.00 that it is not responsible for Software Glitches

Comment #3

temptustoo — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:31:08 GMT

Seems I have been reading of this happening alot lately in different places. I for one will stay out of the casino's.. poor guy ... He should have taken the meal....

Comment #2

Boney526 — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:15:19 GMT

Gotta side with the Casino here. Yeah it sucks, but clearly, if under the law in Austria, the JP couldn't be that big, and he only get 4 out of 5, it's got to be a software glitch.

I mean, I'd be upset, too, but this kind of stuff happens (although as the casino - I'd be returning any slots from that manufacturer.

Comment #1

Guest — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:12:16 GMT

I know that most stores where i buy food, or get a service of some sort, if an employe accidentally marks the price of something lower than it should be, they will give it to me at that price, or if a representative quotes a wrong price, I will only pay what i was quoted.

But when a large amount of money is involved such as in this case, I'm not sure If he should get the whole thing. in my opinion, the casino should give this guy at least a million or so, that would be the right thing to do,... [ More ]

Man to sue Austrian casino after $57 million jackpot denied

Lottery Post — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:38:29 GMT

A gambler who thought he had won 37 million (US$57 million) on a slot machine has been offered a free meal and 60 (US$93) instead, after casino bosses said the jackpot was due to a software error .

Behar Merlaku, 26, played the winning machine at a casino in Bregenz, Austria.

Despite only getting four of the slot machine's five required matches, Mr. Merlaku was told he had won the massive jackpot complete with a winning bell and flashing screen.

However when he went to claim his prize,... [ More ]