Story Archive

Not so Big Winner

Ryan Sherry, 47, says he was playing a slot machine in the Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, Ariz., when the machine started playing music and he saw three red “double sevens” displayed. Checking the prize chart, he saw the prize for three red double sevens was a $50,000 jackpot — so he was surprised when the payout was just $4,000. The casino said he was paid correctly, explaining the machine had a broken bulb and, as a result, the orange double-seven appeared red. According to Sherry, the casino said the replacement bulb had been on backorder for 8 weeks. “That doesn’t seem right,” he complained. “If it’s showing one thing, the reason why you have pictures up here is to give you a snapshot of what you’re getting close to, or what you should be paid out.” According to State Gaming Department spokeswoman Caroline Oppleman, there’s no recourse because the broken light doesn’t affect the machine’s function. “What’s critical ... are accurate payouts and complete functionality of each gaming device,” she said. “A burned out light bulb in any gaming device does not affect gameplay or outcome.” (MS/Arizona Republic) ...This particular outcome has him seeing red.