Is winning on faulty slot machine crime?

[Jolie Rouge]

Is winning on faulty slot machine crime?
Thu Jul 19, 12:11 PM ET

ELIZABETH, Ind. - Prosecutors are considering criminal charges against casino gamblers who won big on a slot machine that had been installed with faulty software. The machine at Caesars Indiana credited gamblers $10 for each dollar they inserted because the software wasn't designed for U.S. currency, state police said. More than two dozen people played the machine before one gambler alerted Caesars employees.

Caesars lost $487,000 on the machine during that time, state police said.

A decision on whether to bring criminal charges could come in a couple of weeks, said John Colin, chief deputy prosecutor for Harrison County. He said "criminal intent" may be involved when people play a machine they know is faulty.

The casino said some of the gamblers returned the money after the casino contacted them.

"This is a bit of an unusual case because you've got to go back and piece together who did what," Colin said. The prosecutor's office declined to say Thursday what criminal charges could be brought.

The incident occurred last July, but he said obtaining casino records took longer than expected.

Kathryn Ford of Louisville, Ky., the gambler who alerted the casino, said going after the other patrons was unfair.

When a slot machine jams and gamblers lose money, they don't get it back, she said.

"It doesn't work in the reverse," Ford said. "They need to forget it and move on."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070719/ap_on_fe_st/generous_slot_machine;_ylt=Aq6aA0GpP0xh5A8y0xwsSxw Z.3QA

[pepperpot]

Doesn't seem like the man rigged the machine. They are responsible for the integrity of the machine. The man did not commit a crime....pay him.

If I told the casino that someone stole my money and gambled it in their casino, would they give it back to me?

[Heidi]

It's not the people's fault. Sure they weren't being honest, but if the owners weren't smart enough to check it out first then that's their loss.

[Jolie Rouge]

...because the software wasn't designed for U.S. currency ...

What exactly what is designed for ? Pesos ??? :mad:

[pepperpot]

What exactly what is designed for ? Pesos ??? :mad:

Is there a large immigrant population in Indiana? :hmmmm2:

[buttrfli]

I definitely don't think it was the patrons fault that the machine was messed up, but I am on the fence on this.

On one hand, the guy was not honest, but on the other hand, the casino should have checked the software. I honestly don't know what to make of it. He was playing with credits that weren't his, wouldn't that be considered stealing? I dunno...

[pepperpot]

I definitely don't think it was the patrons fault that the machine was messed up, but I am on the fence on this.

On one hand, the guy was not honest, but on the other hand, the casino should have checked the software. I honestly don't know what to make of it. He was playing with credits that weren't his, wouldn't that be considered stealing? I dunno...

.......and casinos are?..............

[DestinysGrandma]

it's not the ppls fault. although maybe they should have questioned it. I would have played it but i never gamble so i wouldn't have known! The machine should be put in jail...lol

[JKATHERINE]

I don't think the players should be at fault, and further, I don't think they should return the won earnings, either. Someone else said it right, if the error was in FAVOR of the casino, they'd NEVER return the patrons' money.

Also, how is this different from when gas stations accidentally program their pumps to charge $.39 a gallon rather than $3.99? You see TONS of people line up at the pump and fill their tanks as quickly as they can before the station has the chance to fix it? The gas stations never make the patrons pay back the difference...

[Lasher]

If the Folrida lottery screwed up and printed 5000, $100,000 scratch off lottery tickets, would they be able to recall them and not pay out?

The people did nothing wrong, they didn't rig the machine, they gambled they won. The Casino should have tested their equipment when they got it in.

[buttrfli]

.......and casinos are?..............

Don't know... I'm not an active casino-goer

Like I said.. I am on the fence. He knew he was doing wrong, but I'm not quite sure that the casino has the right to take the money back.

When a cashier owe's me change from my purchase and accidentally gives me $20 instead of $1, I don't keep it.

[boopster]

That casino is just a sore loser and is attempting to put their responsibility on the user. If this should be allowed to go court that would set a precedent that could be interpreted that any manufacturer of any item is not responsible for any defects. That would put the words 'guaranteed' , 'warranty' and 'safe to consume' right out the window.

[PrincessArky]

I can't say that its a crime they simply jumped through a loop hole GOOD FOR THE WINNERS :)

[WVCindy]

I will probably get chewed for this post but here goes......If you play or do anything that you KNOW is broken and you still continue to play for a profit it is STEALING in my book. As adults we know right from wrong.....Congrats to the person who turned in the broken machine he/she has morals.

[Lasher]

I will probably get chewed for this post but here goes......If you play or do anything that you KNOW is broken and you still continue to play for a profit it is STEALING in my book. As adults we know right from wrong.....Congrats to the person who turned in the broken machine he/she has morals.

we'll I'll go that if they knew it was giving them money, but if it was just paying out the jackpot too early they wouldn't know

[SLance68]

If the Folrida lottery screwed up and printed 5000, $100,000 scratch off lottery tickets, would they be able to recall them and not pay out?

Actually they have recalled defective tickets and refused to pay out on them. It happened a few years ago but it was not that large of an amount and not that many tickets - but it has happened. If you read the extremely small print they do reserve the right to not pay out on any and all tickets.

As for the Casino - aren't they required by law to make sure the machines are programmed properly before they are put on the floor. It sounds like the casino should be investigated by the Gaming Commission. Not the patrons. If it was me I would not have know the machine was giving the wrong credits since I haven't ever played in a casino. BUT knowing my luck it would do the opposite and give me 1 credit for $ 10.00 not the other way around.