New Casino Business Model: Any Time Someone Wins, Blame The Software
from the stacking-the-odds dept
Everyone knows that casinos stack the odds against players. That's the business model. However, every once in a while they need to pay out large amounts, because it's the possibility of such payouts that keep people coming back, despite their long odds. It appears one casino has come up with an ingenious method to stacking the odds even further: when someone wins a big jackpot on a computerized Keno machine, just claim the winning results were a software glitch and refuse to pay (found via digg). The men who did not get their prize are hiring lawyers to discuss the matter. The casino claims that they're not liable for any "malfunction." Of course, the article isn't entirely clear on exactly what the malfunction was -- but it seems like they should pay up, and if they have a problem with the machine, they should take it up with the machine's manufacturer.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Yin/Yang
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Well
But theses days, even the so called mechanical slot machines are all computer controlled.
I think that if this case has any huge impact on customer relations, then casinos should be forced to ban computerized slot machines by law, and instead rely soley on mechanical processes for true random results.
Until that happens, I will play poker or blackjack so I know that there is some fate in how I win or lose.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Lawsuit
(Seems they've already put themselves in the court of public opinion where they're apt to lose bigtime.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Lawsuit
As far as this case goes, I say ban all casinos! Only let people play the Lotto. That's voluntary taxation in my book, which is a VERY GOOD THING.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Lawsuit
(Seems they've already put themselves in the court of public opinion where they're apt to lose bigtime.)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This is old news
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Payout exceeded maximum
Regardless, it would have served them much better to just pay the guy his $200,000 and be done with it. Now they are getting a lot of negative press which could result in fewer people going there to gamble if they feel they won't be paid their winnings.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Payout exceeded maximum
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Payout exceeded maximum
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Been in Service How long?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
that's why
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Daily News
PS. this ansd the fact that I like to keep money, are two reasons why I don't gamble anymore, anf that means cards, slots, lottery, whatever. It seems evryone can count a 5deck stack so it gotten too crazy...
pps. third reason was I damn near became addicted during HS and college and just had to say NO to gambling...
the preceeding msg is in no way a endorsent by the author or the advertisers. it merely a the opinion of someone whom none you know or care about.....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
So if the other guy had won...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
This isn't news in Vegas
an overpay to the customer and it is always handled quickly with the customer getting what he should have won. Why are there no lawsuits? Easy, If you
raise hell at one property you'd be lucky to get a room in a Fremont street flop and you wouldn't even be able to use a one-arm bandit at the 7-11 down the street because your name is toast and they do know you. The entire state of Nevada would be an uncomfortable place for you to be.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Nothing...
Nothing at all...this time...but when the vote gets tampered with again, and again...say on the act to repeal the 2 term limit. then the act to lengthen presidental term. and then to elect GWB's son...and the act to allow him to spy on all americans...then maybe there will be a big brother gestapo to stop you from saying it....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Nothing...
:/ Maybe you should make a blog about your rants.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
hahahaha...
I'm giving an example of where trusting computers unquestioningly, leads to realistic versions of senarios that people usually say are too extreme, and like to pass off as "paranoia."
And often, the best way to prove a point, is to satire it...blow it way out of proportion, so that people can see where their logic leads. Satire happens to be my favorite form of COMEDY.
/: Maybe YOU should turn on your humor detector.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: hahahaha...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
computer random # generators
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: computer random # generators
So what if the random number generator is made out of transistors and not software? Irrelevant...either way it can be rigged, so how do we know it isn't?
This is where peer-review would come in handy...or even open source maybe. I mean, if I can't review the logic (code or transistors) then I'd at LEAST like to know someone unbiased HAS.
In Nevada, I think the Gaming commission does verify this stuff...but I don't live there and have never been there so I don't know.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
For similar info checkThe Wizard of Odds Note that the house advantage in games of chance such as Keno (25%-29%), Roulette, Slots. Whereas games of skill give the house less of an edge. Of course this is assuming that the house is playing by the state's Gambling laws!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Past issue and House Advantage
For similar info checkThe Wizard of Odds Note that the house advantage in games of chance such as Keno (25%-29%), Roulette, Slots. Whereas games of skill give the house less of an edge. Of course this is assuming that the house is playing by the state's Gambling laws!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Doesn't Pay Off
I have never understood the gambling craze, it's just like all the other get rich quick schemes, the player always loses. Las Vegas wasn't built from people winning money - it's the loser's money that build multi-billion dollar resorts.
Now, here in California, the Indian tribes that have casinos, have tried blaming the software for big payouts but have failed to prove their case. Also the tribes are throwing their own members, fellow tribesmen, out of the tribes and off the reservations, in order to lessen the number of members and thus fewer people that they have to share the profits with.
Gambling means only one thing - GREED, both on the casino's part and the player. The casino wants your money and the player wants to get rich quick without having to earn it. Either way it is spelled G-R-E-E-D
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
At 22 years old, I usually am out have a FEW drinks or talking to my gf on the phone, but every now and then I feel the need to go in there and play. It relaxes me for a while and helps me space out. The smart way to gamble is to devote 5% of your income or less to it, and keep track of it for a while for fun. Buy in to large poker tournaments and, when the inevitable day come where you make a final table, go out and have fun with the winnings, knowing that you aren't actually 'up' all that much.
It amazes me how many people play slots. Keno, which has the largest house edge of any casino game at apprx. (30-35%), is still popular enough to exist despite its simplicity. Blackjack is a more understandable addiction as the game is exciting, fast-paced, and phenomenal runs are possible. I turned 60$ into 1300 in PHX. Then I promptly put 1300 on 4 hands @ ~400 each and lost them ALL.
Gambling is a paradox, a world of bullshit, but man I love it sometimes. I only play for the BIG runs in poker and I play a little blackjack for fun.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
blame the software
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
These are terrible and bad methods, such companies quickly get a lot of negative reviews and lose their customers. I often used http://62judigames.com/ and never received a refusal to pay. In fact, I think that it is even illegal, any errors with their software all exactly fall on their shoulders
[ link to this | view in chronology ]