Casino denies man jackpot

November 4, 2:42 PMTampa Crime ExaminerCharisse Van Horn

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Bill Seeback was playing the Bally Ultimate Party Spin slot machine in Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock casino when he hit the jackpot. Spending approximately $80.00 throughout the evening, he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the numbers: $ 166,666,666.65. Seeback was on cloud nine for approximately one hour, and then came the words no jackpot winner wants to hear: it was a malfunction and you won’t be getting the money.

Workers at Seminole’s Hard Rock Casino said that the jackpot had malfunctioned and that the win wouldn’t count. Since then, the casino has entered into an agreement with Seeback. Though they have agreed on a settlement, the exact figure has not been released. To clarify that the win was a malfunction and not just the casino’s attempt at avoiding a lofty payout, the casino stated that the slot machine is only set to payout a maximum of $99,000. With the amount that Mr. Seebeck bet, his winnings would have been $2, 5000 and not $ 166,666,666.65.

Seminole Hard Rock Casino released a statement regarding the incident. It reads,

“The Seminole Hard Rock Casino has made an offer to William Seebeck, and he has accepted, recognizing that the slot machine he was playing on Sunday malfunctioned, in what can be best described to the layman as a "computer glitch.

The maximum payout on the Ultimate Party Spin machine played by Seebeck is $99,000, although his bet of $1.50 at the time of the malfunction could have generated a maximum payout of only $2,500, with the right combination. Determination of a malfunction was made by representatives of the machine’s manufacturer and software provider, according to established gaming industry standards, with confirmation from an independent third-party laboratory analysis. The casino has opted to settle this matter for an undisclosed amount as a good faith gesture, and we look forward to welcoming Mr. Seebeck on future visits."