The gaming commission said Bookman was only entitled to her winnings: just $2.25. 'I feel I should win the max and I will treat him to a steak dinner,' Bookman said.Īccording to the gaming commission, the casino could not legally award the max pay-out.

It ought to pay it when you win,' Ripka stated.

'The machine takes your money when you lose. Ripka and Bookman believe she should win the maximum allowed on the Sphinx machine, which the casino said is $6,500. To me that's unfair,' Alan Ripka, Bookman's attorney said. 'They win and the house doesn't want to pay out. 'Malfunctions void all pays and plays,' a warning states on all the slot machines in the casino. The New York State Gaming Commission said Bookman's slot machine malfunctioned. 'I said what did I win? (The casino representative said,) 'You didn't win nothing,'' she recalled.īookman said the only thing the casino offered her was a steak dinner. She was surrounded by customers, casino personnel and security.Įscorted off the casino floor, she was told to come back the next day for the decision.

The apparent jackpot hit was in late August at Resorts World Casino in New York.īookman's partner captured the casino chaos on video after she thought she'd hit the jackpot. She already earmarked the millions to buy a barbershop for her son and a big chunk that would be given back to her community. 'I kept thinking about my family,' Bookman said.īookman's voice cracks when she remembers her short lived joy. Katrina Bookman flashed her multi-million dollar smile as a slot machine screen appeared to show evidence of her mega win.

Woman wins 42 million on slot machine