Nevada: Casino Patrons Claims over $900K Winnings Denied

Disputes between casino operators and visitors related to payouts, unpaid jackpots or malfunctioning machines or other games are often brought to the attention of the gambling regulator. In Nevada’s case, such disputes are overseen by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Recently, the NGCB rejected two disputes for nearly $1 million in winnings, filed by gamblers in Las Vegas and Reno.

Resorts World Las Vegas Poker Win Stays $250K

One of the cases involves a Texas Hold’em win at Resorts World Las Vegas, while the other one is related to a slot machine win at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, as announced by CDC Gaming. The two disputes involve a sum of more than $900,000 in winnings.

When it comes to the Texas Hold’em win, a patron argued that they had to be paid $500,000 instead of the $250,000 they won while playing at Resorts World Las Vegas. Reviewing the case, NGCB’s member, George Assad, sided with the casino, saying that the patron was indeed due to receive $250,000 and not $500,000.

Explaining his decision, Assad pointed to the win which was an aggregate amount in the game. He outlined that while the odds of placing a $1,000 bet would have awarded the player $500,000, the win was a total aggregate amount.

“I think he (the patron) misunderstood that when they say total aggregate amount, that’s the total amount you’re going to get paid, regardless of how much you bet.“

George Assad, member of the NGCB

Assad added that it is likely that the player didn’t understand that condition which effectively means that the total awarded amount would be $250,000, regardless of the size of the wager. This otherwise means that the patron’s dispute was rejected.

Another Patron Dispute Was Rejected

The second case revolved around a $678,587 slot machine win at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno. Reviewing the case, the NGCB heard Assad explain that while the slot’s random number generator operated “properly,” the machine itself didn’t tilt, and the winnings shouldn’t be paid out.

In other words, the second patron dispute was also rejected by the NGCB. The denial of the two requests seeking over $900,000 recognizes that the gamblers do not have a right to receive those winnings.

In an effort to reduce the number of disputes filed by gamblers who won jackpots, in September, a proposal called to prohibit banned gamblers from receiving such prizes. This effort seeks to help casinos stand their ground and have the right not to pay jackpots to gamblers who aren’t allowed on gaming floors across the state.