Okla. woman battles for $42.9 million win on slot machine

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004 | 10:51 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- An Oklahoma woman feels she's entitled to a $42.9 million payment after hitting a jackpot on a quarter machine at the Mandalay Bay Resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

The state Gaming Control Board will consider the appeal of Terri Snow on Thursday at its Las Vegas meeting. Board Hearing Examiner Rick DeGuise has recommended against paying the amount, which he said would be the largest payout ever in Nevada.

Snow played three quarters in a progressive Signature machine and hit three 7s for a $1,105 jackpot, DeGuise said. As she was waiting for the payoff, an attendant inserted a card to record the win and a display appeared showing "$42,987,000."

DeGuise said there was a "glitch in the communications system" that produced the $42.9 million figure. But Snow insisted she be paid the full amount. The casino paid her $1,105. She then appealed to the Control Board.

DeGuise said he recommended against payment because the game was over when the slot card was inserted and the winning amount was $1,105.

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