Man at loss after jackpot win

09.09.2006

Man at loss after jackpot win

MIAMI -- The name of the game is the Swipe and Win progressive jackpot, but to Freddy Howard it feels more like the win and swipe.

Officials at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood, Fla., paraded Howard around after telling him he had won nearly $260,000 US, even presenting him a giant cardboard cheque, but told him nearly 15 hours later he had won nothing.

Howard spent hours waiting for the $259,945 before managers called him into an empty room.

"They just said, 'You know the jackpot that you won? We're not going to pay it,' " said Howard, 53.

The casino acknowledges the mistake but says a verification process showed Howard did not actually win.

the calgary sun



09.09.2006

Casino Tells Player Big Win Was Mistake
Man Wins, Loses Nearly $260,000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- Officials at a casino near Hollywood are saying that they made a mistake when they told a player he won a big jackpot.

Managers at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino told Freddy Howard he won a nearly $260,000 jackpot on Aug. 28. The struggling actor had taken part in a free promotional game the night he won.

When presented with his winnings, Howard said that he exclaimed, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Hard Rock Cafe!"


His dad showed up to have pictures taken with Howard and the giant cardboard check. He signed a release form so that those photos could be used in promotions and advertising.

But the next afternoon, managers broke the news. They said that there had been a computer glitch, and he hadn't won after all.

A spokesman for the Seminole Tribe -- which runs the casino -- said it's not clear what caused the error, but officials did think initially he won. They said a verification later confirmed the prize had not been won.

Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission is reviewing and investigating the incident.

The Hard Rock is part of the Seminole reservation and therefore is considered a sovereign nation and not governed by state or local laws. Still, Howard has hired an attorney to pursue the matter.

The casino was has not commented, but did release a statement:

"As with many casino jackpots, a verification process occurred. The verification process confirmed that the prize had not been won. The Seminole Tribal Gaming Commission is reviewing and investigating the patron complaint of the alleged winning."

Since the Seminole Tribe is technically a sovereign nation, no local, state or federal governments can intervene.

Keith Herbert, Howard's attorney, said, "The casino presented our client with a big fake check for $259, 945.75, and then they took the check back. What we're asking for is a real check."

Howard said simply, "I feel very sad about it and disappointed."

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