Gambler Loses $150,000 Jackpot Due to Self-Exclusion

Hitting a hefty six-figure casino jackpot is, without a doubt, a reason for celebration. However, for one particular gambler, the sweet news of a big win quickly turned sour.

According to Kelley, a casino employee known on TikTok as @casinomassagekelley, a gambler who recently hit a $150,000 jackpot was denied his prize. 

Accused of Trespassing Instead of Cashing Out 

As explained by Kelley, after the player won the jackpot at a slot machine, the casino began the payout process by collecting his ID and verifying his information. 

However, it was soon discovered that the gambler had previously banned himself from the respective casino and all its affiliated properties through a self-exclusion program aimed at preventing individuals with gambling addictions from accessing casinos, both physically and online. 

As a result, he was deemed to have trespassed and was denied the winnings.

While these programs are meant to protect vulnerable gamblers, this case highlights the unexpected consequences that can arise.

Did the Casino Overstep?

The incident raises the question of whether the casino was simply following the rules or if they overstepped in denying the payout.

As previously explained, self-exclusion programs are tools to help individuals step away from gambling when it becomes harmful. 

According to National Council on Problem Gambling data, the risk of gambling addiction went up by a staggering 30% between 2018 and 2021, putting its mark on around nine million US adults.

New Jersey Attorney General Mathew J. Plakin explained that the self-exclusion program, established in 2001, allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from Atlantic City casinos. 

Once enrolled, participants are not only prohibited from entering casinos but also from collecting any winnings. 

Plakin’s website states, “If you are caught gambling at a casino, racetrack sports wagering facility, or on an Internet gaming site, you will be subject to forfeiture of any winnings.”

The Responsible Gambling Council outlines reasons people might choose self-exclusion, such as gambling causing financial or emotional hardship, a fixation on winning back losses, or simply no longer enjoying the act of gambling.

In this gambler’s case, he enrolled in the program to avoid temptation. Ironically, his big win reaffirmed why such measures exist, namely, to protect individuals from potential harm, even when they stumble into a winning moment.

The Case Ignited an Online Debate 

The casino’s decision to deny the jackpot payout has, as expected, created a lot of controversy and sparked online debates. 

Many TikTok users questioned the ethics of denying a $150,000 payout, with some accusing casinos of exploiting loopholes to avoid paying out winnings. 

One user commented, “That’s the sleaziest thing ever. Casinos will do anything to not pay out. Should have paid that man.”

However, Kelley clarified in the comments that the player had personally signed the papers banning himself from the property, agreeing that “any winnings would be forfeited.”

Casinos are bound by strict regulations, which are enforced regardless of the situation. Whether it’s a self-imposed ban, unpaid debts, or legal issues, these rules ensure accountability. 

For the gambler who missed out on a $150,000 jackpot, it serves as a reminder that gambling is not only a thing of pure luck, but it also involves many responsibilities and consequences.

The panel on responsible gaming at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States Summer Meeting in Pittsburgh recently assessed voluntary self-exclusion programs, asking for an empathic approach to individuals who choose to self-exclude.

In April, we reported on the award-winning company that centralizes, anonymizes, and analyzes customer data, idPair, and its plans to launch the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program scheduled to extend west and south this year.