Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Slot champ loses appeal on winnings

CARSON CITY -- Texas gambler Michael Barker will read the fine print on any forms before he enters another slot machine tournament in Las Vegas.

The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Barker, of San Antonio, is out of luck in collecting another $350,000 for winning a 1991 slot machine tournament at the Riviera hotel-casino.

Barker said he got suckered because the Riviera advertised in large print and on its entry form that the first prize was $1 million.

Tucked away in fine print was the reservation by the hotel that it could lower the prize or cancel the tournament if it didn't get 1,500 entries. Barker paid his $1,775 entry fee and won the tournament that lasted several days.

Instead of $1 million, he won $650,000 to be paid out over 10 years. Initially, he never made any protest and accepted two payments of $65,000. Then nearly two years later, he appealed his case.

He claimed the reservation of the Riviera to change the prize was in "very minuscule type" and was "artfully camouflaged" on the marketing brochure. Barker said the small print never became part of the contract and it couldn't be changed after he entered the tournament.

The event drew 946 players, prompting the Riviera at the end of the first day to post that the winner would get $650,000, not the $1 million. There were also other brochures distributed during the tournament that listed the first prize at $650,000.

Barker appealed to the State Gaming Control Board, which ruled in favor of the resort. He then sued but lost his case before District Judge Nancy Becker.

The Supreme Court, in a 3-0 decision, said the decision of the gaming board is "is supported by substantial evidence in the record."

Justices Robert Rose and Miriam Shearing did not participate in the decision.

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