It was labelled human error and then a computer glitch but the disputed jackpot payout has finally been awarded to the man who didn’t win. Hard Rock Casino staff at the company’s Hollywood, Florida venue mistakenly awarded Freddy Howard a progressive jackpot door prize after he used a Players Club card on 29 August. The razzamatazz started and a mock cheque for the prize, just a shade under US$260,000, was presented. Then came the revelation that a mistake had been made.

Howard hired a lawyer and claimed that the money should be paid to him. In fact he had little chance of winning a suit against the Hard Rock, and most people would have assumed that the matter would have ended with the Casino making a token goodwill payment to the player. As the Seminole tribe running the casino is a sovereign government it cannot be sued. It was also revealed that Howard had used a Players Club card belonging to his father and so was not actually eligible to win the jackpot.

It says much for the power of advertising that the player who didn’t win struck the jackpot. A public relations blitz and threats to picket the tribe have worked their magic and at a press conference yesterday the chairman of the Seminole Gaming Commission said payment was being made in full. Howard and lawyer were not present and have yet to comment on the award. The Seminole tribe may or may not have gained US$260,000 worth of publicity or damage limitation by paying the player, but obviously decided it was a wager worth making. (E-09.20.06)

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