Back in 2016, Katrina Bookman was playing the slot machines at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York, when her life appeared to change forever. The screen lit up with a staggering number: $42,949,672 (£33 million)—one of the largest sums ever displayed on a slot machine in history. Overcome with excitement, she quickly snapped a selfie with the glowing figure, convinced that she had just secured financial security for herself and her family for generations to come.

But what started as a story of joy soon unraveled into one of disbelief and anger.

From Fortune to Insult

When Bookman returned the following day to collect her winnings, casino officials delivered the crushing news: the machine had “malfunctioned.” Instead of millions, she was told she had actually won just $2.25 (£1.77). To add insult to injury, the casino reportedly offered her a complimentary steak dinner as an apology.

Bookman was stunned. “Really? Like are you serious? I mean, I felt insulted,” she told reporters. What made matters worse was that the actual maximum payout for the machine should have been $6,500 (£5,000)—but even that sum was denied under the casino’s disclaimer that “malfunctions void all pays and plays.”

The Legal Fight Begins

Determined not to accept this outcome, Bookman hired attorney Adam Ripka and filed a 17-page lawsuit against Resorts World Casino, Genting New York LLC, and slot machine software provider IGT. The suit accused the casino of negligence and of failing to properly maintain its gaming machines, alleging that the incident caused her severe emotional distress and mental anguish.

Initially, Ripka fought for the full $42.9 million. Later, he pivoted to demand at least the $6,500 maximum payout allowed on the machine. “You can’t claim a machine is broken simply because you want it to be broken,” Ripka argued. “Does that mean it wasn’t inspected? Does it mean it wasn’t maintained? If so, then did every player before her actually have zero chance of winning?”

Casino’s Defense and Public Outrage

In response, Resorts World spokesperson Dan Bank told CNN: “Upon being notified of the situation, casino personnel determined that the figure displayed was the result of an obvious malfunction—a fact later confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission. Machine malfunctions are rare, and we apologize for the inconvenience caused to Ms. Bookman.”

The explanation, however, did little to calm public outrage. Many sympathized with Bookman, believing she had been unfairly robbed of her rightful prize. Her story was covered by outlets such as Inside Edition and CNN, sparking debates about whether casinos should be held accountable when technology fails.

The Final Verdict

Sadly for Bookman, the case did not end in her favor. After years of legal wrangling, the Queens County Supreme Court ruled in favor of the casino and its affiliates. The judge determined that because of the machine’s malfunction clause, Bookman was not entitled to any winnings.

In the end, the woman who once thought she had become a multimillionaire walked away with nothing—not the $42.9 million, not the $6,500 maximum prize, not even the steak dinner she was once offered.

A Bitter Lesson for Casino Players

Bookman’s story remains one of the most infamous slot machine mishaps in modern casino history. It serves as a sobering reminder that while the bright lights and flashing jackpots may promise life-changing fortunes, the fine print often favors the house. For Bookman, the night she thought she had become a multimillionaire became instead a tale of disappointment, frustration, and unanswered questions about fairness in the gambling industry.