Gary Hoffman was playing the nickel slot machines at the Sandia Resort and Casino on an Indian reservation in New Mexico when he appeared to hit the jackpot: the machine said he won nearly $1.6 million.

Hoffman says in a lawsuit filed earlier this year that Sandia refused to pay, claiming that the machine malfunctioned. Instead, he said, they gave him about $385 and a few free meals at the casino.

The casino says it’s not responsible for what it describes as a computer error and says it offered Hoffman the maximum payout of $2,500 for that particular slot machine. But, a jury may never decide who is right. Many gamblers don’t realize that Native American casinos, sometimes operate beyond the reach of U.S. courts.

The nickel slot said he’d won $1,597,244.10. Patrons and casino employees came to congratulate him. He even got a marriage proposal, Hoffman said. But, soon he was asked to come to an executive conference room, where he says he was told the casino refused to pay.

A casino employee “became quite intimidating with me, pointed his finger in my face and said, ‘You didn’t win. We’re not paying you any money. Do you understand what I’m telling you? You’re not getting any money,’” Hoffman said.

Personally, I think Hoffman has every reason to be pissed. What’s to keep every Casino from claiming a “computer error” when someone finally wins?

I get the feeling that his “winning” had to be computer error, because people aren’t supposed to win. I’m betting the casino comes out on the “losing” end of this one.

-Chris Jones

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