Officials began a long search for the big jackpot winner after a Las Vegas slot machine error led to an error.
According to a Nevada Gaming Control Board press release, Robert Taylor, a casino patron from Arizona, won a $229 368.52 jackpot at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on January 8.
Taylor lost the prize because of a slot machine malfunction.
The press release stated that Taylor had already moved to Arizona from Nevada by the time the casino learned that Taylor had won the Jackpot.
Treasure Island officials asked the Nevada Gaming Control Board for assistance in identifying Taylor when the casino couldn’t identify him.
Officials conducted an “extensive inquiry” to find the jackpot winner. They reviewed hours of security footage, interviewed witnesses, and looked at rideshare data.
The press release stated that Taylor was finally notified by officials on Jan. 28 that he had won the jackpot.
FOX Business spoke with James Taylor, Nevada Gaming Control Board’s chief enforcement officer. He said that Taylor asked for photos of his Las Vegas trip and requested details about the malfunctioning slot machine.
James said that it was shocking for him to receive a call several weeks later to say, “By the way you did win that money.”
According to a statement from Treasure Island Hotel & Casino, Taylor received his money on Saturday.
FOX Business was informed by representatives of the Nevada Gaming Control Board that Taylor declined an interview.
James stated that Taylor was connected to progressive slots machines at other casinos and that officials took great effort to locate him.
James stated, “So there are a lot people paying into that meters.” “So, when the jackpot hits it belongs to the person who hit that particular meter. It is important to pay this person. This money does not belong to the state and it doesn’t belong at all to the casino. This money must be given.”
He also said that they would have returned the money to their meter if Taylor hadn’t been found.
James stated that the money was pooled money. “Kinda like the lottery. If you don’t win the lottery, it rolls to day two and that’s what would happen here.”
James stated that he has never heard of this story in all his 28 years working at the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
James stated, “I don’t recall a time when this happened before” and that he couldn’t picture anyone walking away from a machine. It wasn’t his fault. “The machine did indeed make a communication error.”
