The winner of a $43,000,000 jackpot at a casino has spoken out after being offered a steak dinner instead of her winnings.
Katrina Bookman had gone to the Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, New York in 2017 and decided to have a flutter on the slots.
In an astonishing moment, after she spun the machine it displayed an eye-watering total of more than $43 million as her prize.
Katrina recalled how she had felt ‘numb’ at the amount of money displayed on the screen, a truly life-changing sum.
But sadly the euphoric feeling didn’t last long after she informed a member of staff about the win.
Returning to the casino the following day, Katrina was informed that the casino would not be paying out the enormous figure shown on the screen, and instead what she had won was $2.25.
By way of apology for the confusion, the casino also offered her a free steak dinner.
Katrina took a selfie by the machine when the eight-figure sum came up. (ABC7)
Katrina spoke out after her very near win.
She told Inside Edition at the time: “Yes of course I felt very robbed.”
When she was asked how she felt after being offered a steak dinner instead of the winnings, she replied: “Really? Like are you serious? I mean, I felt insulted.”
Lawyer Alan Ripka represented Katrina, and told the outlet: “If the machine malfunctioned in any way shape or form, it’s not the faulty of the patron and they have to make good on what they displayed.”
However, a disclaimer at the casino also said that malfunctions on the machines would void any winnings.
Katrina was offered a steak dinner. (Eugene Mymrin / Getty)
Katrina was offered an apology, with a spokesperson for Resorts World, Dan Bank telling CNN at the time: “Upon being notified of the situation, casino personnel were able to determine that the figure displayed on the penny slot was the result of an obvious malfunction – a fact later confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission.
“After explaining the circumstances to Ms. Bookman, we offered to pay her the correct amount that was shown on the printed ticket. Machine malfunctions are rare, and we would like to extend our apologies to Ms. Bookman for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
When Katrina sued for the winnings a judge ultimately found in favour of the casino and she didn’t receive either the $43 million or the $2.25.
Not only that, but after all that she didn’t even get the steak dinner either.
