Casino Reneges on "Winning" Slot Machine. Claims Malfunction

Pawel Kusznirewicz, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, is suing the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation for $45 million. Not because he lost. Because he won.

Kusznirewicz had played at the Innisfil casino with his wife on December 8, sinking about $60 on a slot machine called the Buccaneer. He made his last pull when the lights started flashing and sirens started wailing.

The video screen showed that he won $42.9 million. The casino management said he didn't. They said the machine had malfunctioned and said they weren't going to pay him one dime.

But to make up for the devastating loss of nearly $43 million, the manager gave him her business card for two free dinners in the casino restaurant. But then she realized that seemed pretty stingy, so she upped it to four free dinners.

Yeah, four dinners. That's just as good. Besides, they must be good meals, since each dinner is worth $10.725 million. ($2 million drinks not included.)

Needless to say, Kusznirewicz was extremely upset (maybe if they had given him six dinners, plus a free dessert), because there was no indication the machine was malfunctioning. The staff couldn't even show him any evidence that it was broken. But if it was broken, then why did they leave it on? Was it working until it finally paid out? Or did the OLG puposely allow a broken machine to be kept in play, assuming it wouldn't pay out in the first place?

Kusznirewicz said the OLG staff took some pictures of the machine, and then hid the evidence shut it off.

Kusznirewicz's lawsuit is for $45.9 million: the original $42.9 million, and then $1 million each for general damages, aggravated damages, and punitive damages.

If the OLG is smart, they'll offer to settle for half of what Kusznirewicz is asking for. But if Kusznirewicz is smarter, he'll hold out for all of it.

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