Court rejects woman’s claim for jackpot

Wednesday, July 11, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A woman who says she is entitled to an $8 million jackpot from the "Cool Millions" slot machine at Silverton Las Vegas is going to end up with just $4,427.

The Nevada Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of Anna L. Barton, who claimed she lined up three "Cool Millions" duck symbols, entitling her to the giant jackpot in September 1996.

The casino claimed Barton lined up only "Double Jackpot" ducks in a row and was entitled only to a secondary jackpot.

About two months before Barton started playing the machine, a worker for Casino Data Systems -- which operated the progressive jackpot system --- placed a wrong display card on the machine. It showed a player would get a double jackpot if he or she aligned three blue seven symbols.

There was no mention on the incorrect placard of "Double Jackpot" duck symbols.

Barton lined up the three Double Jackpot duck symbols. Since they were not mentioned on the display card, Barton said the double jackpot duck symbols were "wild" and therefore counted as a payout for the $8 million jackpot.

The casino refused the payout and said Barton was entitled to $4,427 as a secondary jackpot. The state Gaming Control Board ruled for Silverton -- then called the Boomtown -- and Casino Data Systems. So did District Judge Michael Cherry.

The court, in siding with Silverton and Casino Data Systems, said in this case the display card on the machine "unambiguously" showed the player must line up the "Cool Millions" symbols in order to win the $8 million.