Computer malfunction. Bunch of BS.
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Casino agrees to pay gambler nearly $260,000 after computer glitch
By Miami Herald staff
browardnews@MiamiHerald.com
<!-- begin body-content -->The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has agreed to pay nearly $260,000 to a man who was first told that he won, then lost because of a computer glitch.
Freddy Howard, 53, of Sunny Isles Beach, was first told he won that amount, then found out it was all a mistake.
Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen has told Howard and his attorney that the casino hired an independent outside agency to examine Howard's claim that he won in a Swipe & Win progressive jackpot computer system on Aug. 29.
If the independent computer analysis declared that Howard did win, Allen has said, he personally would sign the check.
After swiping his Player's Club card in a Swipe and Win'' kiosk, Howard saw words on the screen indicating he was a winner.
He approached casino employees, who congratulated him and had him sign promotional forms, and photographed him holding a giant cardboard check with the amount of $259,945.75.
But 15 hours later, casino officials told Howard the computer had a glitch, and it was all a mistake.
Hard Rock officials today said they would pay Howard the full amount of his winnings.
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