The next day, Bookman made her way back to the casino, excited to collect her major winnings. Rather than receiving a life-altering check, she encountered a heartbreaking message from a casino staff member.
She received information that the machine was not functioning properly. The $43 million jackpot turned out to be a mirage, leaving her with a mere $2.25 instead.
In a surprising twist, the casino extended a complimentary steak dinner as a gesture of goodwill. For Bookman, who gained significant national attention with her seemingly record-breaking victory, this was a devastating setback.
Her attorney, Alan Ripka, promptly took action, disputing the casino’s claims. Ripka highlighted the ridiculousness of labeling the machine as defective after it showcased a victory.
He raised concerns about the adequacy of the machine’s inspection and maintenance procedures. If it indeed failed to operate correctly, he contended, it might imply the unjust deprivation of rewards for other participants.
“You can’t claim a machine is broken because you want it to be broken,” Ripka stated in interviews. He emphasized the wider issues this brought to light regarding the casino’s equipment reliability.
As Bookman’s story spread, it became evident that this was not a singular occurrence. Similar incidents have emerged nationwide, causing investigations of casino operations.
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