You can’t think about casino gambling and not daydream about a jackpot. But unless you have won one, you probably don’t know what to expect when you hit for big bucks. The truth is that some. While all those twirling legs keep you distracted, you’ll probably fail to notice that the casino trimmed the payouts at these tables from 3/2 to 6/5. Meaning that a $100 bet wins only $120.
What Happens When You Win Big In A Casino Players Club
We’ve all seen the small notice on the slot machine that says something like, “Machine malfunction voids all pays and plays.” Have you ever really thought about what you would do if it happened to you?
Stephen Wilkinson was playing his favorite slot machine at the Philadelphia Park casino in Pennsylvania when he hit the jackpot for $102,000. The machine lit up, the jackpot music started to play, and on the screen it congratulated him on his win of $102,000. People quickly gathered around and began congratulating him, in fact the women beside him was so excited she phoned her husband to tell him the news. Bovada poker problems. Well, Stephen was in for a big surprise but it wasn’t $102,000.
After several minutes of casino employees huddled in deep discussion, they made their way over to Stephen to congratulate him on his win. Wrong! They made their way over to let him know that there was a machine malfunction, and he did not hit the jackpot. However, they would compensate him for the malfunction by providing him with two free tickets to their buffet. No, I’m not making that part up. They tried to reconcile the situation by giving him two free buffet tickets. Unless there was gold and diamonds on the buffet, that doesn’t seem like just compensation to me.
What do you think? Do you think the casino should have to pay the money, or are they not liable because they have the warning on the machine? What about if it happened to you, how do you think you would respond? What would you do?
Let’s take a look at similar situation that occurred, you may have a different reaction. This actually happened to a fellow gambler that I know and it happened on a video poker machine instead of a slot machine, but video poker machines are classified as “slots” and have the same malfunction warning on each machine. This story has a slightly different twist to it, but ironically it was for about the same amount of money.
John was in the casino when he noticed a single progressive video poker machine. A single progressive simply means that the machine is not hooked up to any other machines, the jackpot rises as someone plays that machine only. Many video poker single progressives have a large display above the machine that lets the customer know how high the jackpot is. John noticed a $1 denomination ($5 for max play) video poker machine where the display read that the jackpot was $104,000 for a royal flush. If you don’t play video poker, just know that a normal payout for a royal on a $1 machine is $4,000. The progressives are reset at $4,000 and move up as the game is played.
John knew something wasn’t right. It’s almost mathematically impossible for a $1 video poker progressive machine to get over $100,000 without a royal flush being hit. If it got up to $20,000 it would be big news and you wouldn’t be able to play the machine because it would be packed with people. John decided to play and see what happened. The entire time he played the jackpot was still listed as $104,000 and was increasing as he played. After about an hour, sure enough John hit a royal flush.
What do you think happened?
![What Happens When You Win Big In A Casino What Happens When You Win Big In A Casino](https://www.casinoanswers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/play-caribbean-stud-online-3.jpg)
- A) The casino paid him the $104,000 that was advertised on the machine.
- B) They paid him nothing because there was a machine malfunction.
- C) They paid him the reset jackpot value of $4,000.
- D) They paid him some other amount.
If you guessed option C you would be correct. The casino explained to John that the progressive counter display had malfunctioned and they would not pay him the $104,000. John didn’t fight it too much because he knew there was nothing he could do. I think he was most upset at the fact that they paid him the minimum of $4,000, which is the reset amount, instead of at least compensating him something extra since it was a progressive. They claimed that the malfunction voided everything, and basically they were saying he’s lucky to be getting the $4,000.
What is your feeling on this situation? Is it different from the first story? Does it matter that John knew something was amiss when he sat down at the machine? I would love to hear your thoughts, and any similar situations that may have happened to you or someone you know.
By Al Parker | Sept. 1, 2018
It’s the dream of every slot player: Slide money into the machine, press the button, (or pull the handle if you’re an old school player), and watch the symbols line up.
Winner. Winner. Winner!
Suddenly you realize you’ve just won a big jackpot. You hit it really big. It could be a life-changing moment if the prize is hefty enough.
“About 12 years ago a group of ladies came in to play and brought a friend whose husband had passed away,” recalled Johnny Barrientoz, director of slots who oversees some 1,430 machines at both Turtle Creek Casino and Leelanau Sands Casino. “They just wanted to take their friend out to have some fun, take her mind off her troubles.”
It was the widow’s first-ever visit to a casino. She felt out of place, but was willing to try her hand at a slot machine. She sat down and slipped $20 into a progressive Wheel of Fortune machine. On her very first pull ever, she won the $330,000-plus jackpot.
“It changed her perspective,” recalled Barrientoz. “It just goes to show, it’s timing and luck.”
Kalkaska resident Jennifer Guggisberg was celebrating the July 4 holiday by playing a 10-cent Quick Hits game at Turtle Creek when she hit for $4,638.
“All of a sudden all of these Quick Hit symbols came up,” she said. “I didn’t realize what I won at first. Then I got excited. You’d think I won a million dollars!”
Guggisberg quickly made plans for a family trip to Florida next April.
Two days later, on a Friday night, she returned and won another $2,200. Then her fiancé went back two days after that and hit for $5,400 on another Quick Hit machine, right next to the one that originally paid off for Guggisberg.
On July 10, Jacquelyn Williams was at Turtle Creek with her mother and playing a Life of Luxury machine for the first time when her 60 cents resulted in a $6,358 jackpot.
“I had only been there 20 minutes or so,” said the Bay City resident. ”I picked a gem, and I didn’t know what was happening. The machine just kept adding up the money. It was just a very lucky moment.”
The win means Williams will be planning a spring trip to Italy to see her son who is stationed there in the U.S. Air Force.
And recently a Turtle Creek guest was playing a 100-Play Video Poker machine when he was dealt a Royal Flush. The payout for the 100 Royals was $100,000, according to Barrientoz.
But before you mentally start spending your next slot machine windfall, here are a few things you should know:
First, once you spin and win, no need to flag down an attendant. A casino employee will quickly find you. At Turtle Creek, a new automated system sends a signal to an iPod carried by each slot attendant, who will check the machine, making sure it’s working properly, and that your win wasn’t the result of a machine malfunction.
If it is a malfunction, you still get the money right? No. Most machines carry discrete labeling that says “Malfunctions void all pays,” which protects the casino.
The attendant will then verify your identification. You won’t get a penny unless you show a valid ID. But once you show your ID, you’ll get your hand filled with bills.
If your win is $1,200 or more, you’ll need to fill out a federal income tax form. Yes, the IRS gets a cut. You have to pay federal tax on all of your winnings and the casino will issue you a W-2G form, an IRS document specifically designed for certain gambling winnings.
If you’re a casino regular, you can deduct the money you spent while chasing that jackpot, provided, of course, that you kept records of your wins and losses.
You can have the tax bite taken out at that time or pay later. “About 20 percent of our big winners have the taxes taken out at the time,” said Barrientoz. “It’s at the discretion of the guest.”
At Turtle Creek, if the jackpot is more than $25,000, the casino will issue a check. And in certain situations, the casino will offer the winner a free room and a dinner while employees process the appropriate paperwork.
After all, if you have a free meal and all that freshly won cash, there’s a good chance you may keep playing. That’s what the casino is hoping. If you do decide to leave, most will happily have their security team to escort you to your car.
If you’re one of the very rare players who wins more than $1 million, you have options. Many casinos will offer either a cash payout or an annual fixed sum. You usually have 90 days to make your choice. For some large progressive jackpots, it can take hours. Sometimes it’s out of the casino’s hands, since some payouts — like the Megabucks in Nevada — are handled by game manufacturers. You could have to wait days or weeks for your money.
If you’re only won a few thousand dollars (still pretty good), you’ll get the money quicker. But don’t stress if it takes longer. The casino is not trying to get out of paying you. It’s a good time to grab a meal at a casino eatery, relax, and contemplate your good fortune.
After all, if your lucky slot machine has 64 stops on each reel. Your chances of hitting the biggest jackpot would be 1 in 262,144, and many machines have far more than 64 stops per reel.
THE COMPETITOR
Manton resident Kathy Duranso finished in first place in the 2017 Turtle Creek Casino TournEvent in October, winning $2,500 and a trip for two to Las Vegas to compete in the national tourney.
Duranso had never been on a plane before, let alone outside Michigan. She and her boyfriend Dan stayed at the elegant Wynn hotel-casino.
“I felt like I already won,” said Duranso, who met actors George Hamilton and Danny Trejo during the trip.
There were some 175 other players from 90 casinos taking part in the national event.
Playing in the tourney’s first session, Duranso did well, advancing to the second round. Cheered on by some Turtle Creek staff who flew out to see her, Duranso placed in the top 14 players, taking home $5,000 in cash, enough to pay off her house and buy winter coats and boots for her grandchildren.
REMEMBER
For every great win story, there are countless losses. So play only what you can afford to lose, and if you can’t help but play more, contact Gamblers Anonymous to find help near you: www.gamblersanonymous.org.
Winner. Winner. Winner!
Suddenly you realize you’ve just won a big jackpot. You hit it really big. It could be a life-changing moment if the prize is hefty enough.
“About 12 years ago a group of ladies came in to play and brought a friend whose husband had passed away,” recalled Johnny Barrientoz, director of slots who oversees some 1,430 machines at both Turtle Creek Casino and Leelanau Sands Casino. “They just wanted to take their friend out to have some fun, take her mind off her troubles.”
It was the widow’s first-ever visit to a casino. She felt out of place, but was willing to try her hand at a slot machine. She sat down and slipped $20 into a progressive Wheel of Fortune machine. On her very first pull ever, she won the $330,000-plus jackpot.
“It changed her perspective,” recalled Barrientoz. “It just goes to show, it’s timing and luck.”
Kalkaska resident Jennifer Guggisberg was celebrating the July 4 holiday by playing a 10-cent Quick Hits game at Turtle Creek when she hit for $4,638.
“All of a sudden all of these Quick Hit symbols came up,” she said. “I didn’t realize what I won at first. Then I got excited. You’d think I won a million dollars!”
Guggisberg quickly made plans for a family trip to Florida next April.
Two days later, on a Friday night, she returned and won another $2,200. Then her fiancé went back two days after that and hit for $5,400 on another Quick Hit machine, right next to the one that originally paid off for Guggisberg.
On July 10, Jacquelyn Williams was at Turtle Creek with her mother and playing a Life of Luxury machine for the first time when her 60 cents resulted in a $6,358 jackpot.
“I had only been there 20 minutes or so,” said the Bay City resident. ”I picked a gem, and I didn’t know what was happening. The machine just kept adding up the money. It was just a very lucky moment.”
The win means Williams will be planning a spring trip to Italy to see her son who is stationed there in the U.S. Air Force.
And recently a Turtle Creek guest was playing a 100-Play Video Poker machine when he was dealt a Royal Flush. The payout for the 100 Royals was $100,000, according to Barrientoz.
But before you mentally start spending your next slot machine windfall, here are a few things you should know:
First, once you spin and win, no need to flag down an attendant. A casino employee will quickly find you. At Turtle Creek, a new automated system sends a signal to an iPod carried by each slot attendant, who will check the machine, making sure it’s working properly, and that your win wasn’t the result of a machine malfunction.
If it is a malfunction, you still get the money right? No. Most machines carry discrete labeling that says “Malfunctions void all pays,” which protects the casino.
The attendant will then verify your identification. You won’t get a penny unless you show a valid ID. But once you show your ID, you’ll get your hand filled with bills.
If your win is $1,200 or more, you’ll need to fill out a federal income tax form. Yes, the IRS gets a cut. You have to pay federal tax on all of your winnings and the casino will issue you a W-2G form, an IRS document specifically designed for certain gambling winnings.
If you’re a casino regular, you can deduct the money you spent while chasing that jackpot, provided, of course, that you kept records of your wins and losses.
You can have the tax bite taken out at that time or pay later. “About 20 percent of our big winners have the taxes taken out at the time,” said Barrientoz. “It’s at the discretion of the guest.”
At Turtle Creek, if the jackpot is more than $25,000, the casino will issue a check. And in certain situations, the casino will offer the winner a free room and a dinner while employees process the appropriate paperwork.
After all, if you have a free meal and all that freshly won cash, there’s a good chance you may keep playing. That’s what the casino is hoping. If you do decide to leave, most will happily have their security team to escort you to your car.
If you’re one of the very rare players who wins more than $1 million, you have options. Many casinos will offer either a cash payout or an annual fixed sum. You usually have 90 days to make your choice. For some large progressive jackpots, it can take hours. Sometimes it’s out of the casino’s hands, since some payouts — like the Megabucks in Nevada — are handled by game manufacturers. You could have to wait days or weeks for your money.
If you’re only won a few thousand dollars (still pretty good), you’ll get the money quicker. But don’t stress if it takes longer. The casino is not trying to get out of paying you. It’s a good time to grab a meal at a casino eatery, relax, and contemplate your good fortune.
After all, if your lucky slot machine has 64 stops on each reel. Your chances of hitting the biggest jackpot would be 1 in 262,144, and many machines have far more than 64 stops per reel.
THE COMPETITOR
Manton resident Kathy Duranso finished in first place in the 2017 Turtle Creek Casino TournEvent in October, winning $2,500 and a trip for two to Las Vegas to compete in the national tourney.
Duranso had never been on a plane before, let alone outside Michigan. She and her boyfriend Dan stayed at the elegant Wynn hotel-casino.
“I felt like I already won,” said Duranso, who met actors George Hamilton and Danny Trejo during the trip.
There were some 175 other players from 90 casinos taking part in the national event.
Playing in the tourney’s first session, Duranso did well, advancing to the second round. Cheered on by some Turtle Creek staff who flew out to see her, Duranso placed in the top 14 players, taking home $5,000 in cash, enough to pay off her house and buy winter coats and boots for her grandchildren.
REMEMBER
For every great win story, there are countless losses. So play only what you can afford to lose, and if you can’t help but play more, contact Gamblers Anonymous to find help near you: www.gamblersanonymous.org.
![Happens Happens](https://videothumb.vidoevo.com/evo/T1FmUXdPcWuRpeUhwOUE.jpg)