The latest news from the Casino world!
Gambling club casino news nieuws poker chips blackjack

Man Misses $150,000 Jackpot: ‘How It Went Wrong’

For most people, a $150,000 jackpot would be cause for celebration. But for one gambler, that moment of joy quickly turned to bitter disappointment. Casino employee Kelley (known on TikTok as @casinomassagekelley) shared the story of a gambler who won the jackpot but was denied his prize.

Kelley explained what happened in a TikTok video: 

“This guy won $150,000 on a slot machine. When they went to cash him out and looked at his ID, he had banned himself from the casino — and all other locations.” 

So not only had he lost his prize, he had actually been trespassing.

This man had deliberately signed up for the self-exclusion program. The program is specifically designed to protect people with gambling addiction by preventing them from entering casinos, both physical and online.

Self-exclusion programs help, but can have unexpected consequences

Self-exclusion programs are designed to protect people, but sometimes they have unexpected consequences, as this story shows. It raises the question of whether the casino was simply following the rules or was it too strict.

Sometimes the smartest bet you can make is to just quit. Self-exclusion programs offer a way out for people who want to get away from the gambling table before it gets too far. Research from the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) shows that the risk of gambling addiction increased by 30% between 2018 and 2021, affecting an estimated nine million adults in the US.

What is a self-exclusion program?

New Jersey established the self-exclusion program in 2001. Mathew J. Plakin, the chief district attorney, explains that people who participate in this program voluntarily give up their right to enter all casinos in Atlantic City.

Once registered, participants are no longer allowed to enter the casinos, and this is strictly monitored. One of the measures is that they are not allowed to cash out winnings. Plakin’s website even states: 

“If you are caught gambling in a casino, betting shop or on an online gambling site, your winnings will be confiscated.”

According to the Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), people choose to self-exclude because gambling harms them financially or emotionally, because it dominates all aspects of their lives, or because they only play to win back losses. The man who had to leave $150,000 on the table had put himself on the list for these reasons, probably to avoid temptation. Moments like these sometimes confirm why such measures exist.

Was the casino right?

Opinions about the casino’s actions are divided. Many users on TikTok questioned whether it was ethical to refuse a payout of $150,000. Some criticized the decision, seeing it as a ploy to avoid having to pay out. Others pointed out that the rules apply to all customers, including those who have self-excluded.

One TikTok user warned gamblers to check their background before trying their luck, and shared an example of someone who won a prize but was arrested on an outstanding warrant when the casino ran a check.

Another user, GlennDro, called it the “slickest trick ever” and said the casino should have simply paid the man out. Kelley clarified in the comments: 

“He signed papers banning himself from the casino, and that any winnings would be confiscated. If he hadn’t done that, he would have definitely been paid out.”

Casinos operate under strict rules that they follow regardless of the size of the bet. Whether it’s unpaid debts, legal trouble, or a self-imposed ban, these rules are in place to ensure accountability. While it may seem harsh that the $150,000 winner walked away with nothing, it’s a reminder that gambling is more than a game of chance

 | 

Caroline specializes in the casino industry, where she combines a deep knowledge of the gaming sector in France with a passion for digital innovations. She explores the changes that are revolutionizing this industry, from the integration of artificial intelligence in the user experience and data analysis to blockchain technologies that strengthen the security and transparency of transactions. Curious and committed, she is particularly interested in responsible gaming solutions and new regulations, addressing topics as varied as player protection, risky behavior management, and the importance of ethical practices.

Through her in-depth and accessible articles, Caroline allows readers to better understand the trends, innovations and challenges of a constantly changing industry. She takes care to demystify new technologies and to make the link between technical advances and their concrete implications for players and operators. Her goal? To offer an informed and balanced vision of a sector in full transition, between tradition and modernity, while contributing to a dialogue around more responsible and secure gaming.

Recommended

FBI raids crypto gambling platform Polymarket

The FBI has raided Polymarket, a cryptocurrency betting platform, after it was accused of facilitating illegal gambling practices for US players.

Re-elected Donald Trump and gambling laws: What to Expect?

Millions of Americans went to the polls today, and the result looks clear: Donald Trump is returning to the White House.

Elon Musk sued! Million-dollar lottery causes controversy

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and CEO of Tesla, is under fire in Pennsylvania. He is being sued for allegedly setting up a lottery to influence elections in a so-called “swing state.”