A New Jersey woman is claiming that Bally’s Atlantic City is refusing to pay a jackpot of more than $1.2 million that she says she won on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine. Casino officials, on the other hand, have told her that the machine was malfunctioning and that she is owed exactly nothing. The incident highlights the incredible leverage casino operators have over deciding when a big winner goes home a millionaire, and when they just go home.
The incident in question happened in February when Roney Beal, 72 was playing the popular Wheel of Fortune slot machine. After losing around $1,000 over the course of the day, she decided to give the machine one more run. After about about seven or spins, she hit a $1.2 million jackpot. With the accompanying multiplier, Beal says the jackpot should actually be $2.56 million when the multiplier is included.
In an interview with the New York POst, Beal described how her joy was very short-lived. After summoning an attendant for a payout, a tilt message appeared on the machine. When the attendant arrived, he told her that there had been a malfunction with the machine – and asked her to leave the casino.
When contacted by the New York Post, Bally’s punted the issue to the company that makes the Wheel of Fortune machines saying, “Bally’s has no comment on this incident as we’re only the casino who houses the machine. IGT handles the payouts and would be best to get a comment from at this time.”
Beal has retained an attorney and is filing a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. She’s also going to sue Bally’s for the full $2.56 million jackpot, along with $1 million for her emotional distress.