$330,000 Slot Prize Voided; Defect Cited

The reels locked on three cherries, bells and whistles sounded and casino workers rushed to congratulate Herminia Rodriquez on having won a $330,000 slot machine jackpot. But it was easy come, easy go for Rodriquez. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, just south of Phoenix, said the slot machine was defective and voided her prize. If she’s lucky, she’ll get back the $100 in quarters she said she pumped into the broken machine on Oct. 11. Beyond that, she may have little legal recourse, since the casino is on an Indian reservation, which is sovereign territory with its own system for handling complaints.