US-based slot company American Gaming Systems has had a lawsuit filed against it by a resident of Philadelphia after a ‘bug’ failed to pay out a jackpot win.
Triggered over one year ago on October 2, 2020, the $100,000 jackpot was allegedly won by Lisa Piluso, a property manager along the Jersey Shore near Atlantic City, whilst playing the company’s Capital Gains title.
Following ‘repeated, unsuccessful efforts’ to collect the jackpot sum, Piluso filed a federal consumer fraud, breach of contract, negligence and products liability lawsuit via her attorney, Paul R. D’Amato of the D’Amato Law Firm.
D’Amato confirmed the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement officials confirmed an investigation disclosed there was a “bug” in the game and that it took action against AGS, however, it did not provide details.
Ms Piluso, after the lawsuit filing, explained: “I’m an experienced online player and I was shocked when AGS officials – including the company president – told me they weren’t going to pay even when I showed them the screenshot that I made of the $100,000 jackpot. They said I actually won about $300, but they then offered me $1,000, saying we were ‘nice people’”.
“Can you imagine being told, ‘You won, but we’re not required to pay you or anyone else in the same situation. How many other players have been in the same situation but agreed to settle for a fraction of their winnings after being told they, too, were ‘nice people?’”
Attorney D’Amato, a former New Jersey Assemblyman, added: “New Jerseyans were told they could trust this industry and that it would be the financial salvation of Atlantic City, among other chronically financially ailing areas in the state.
“The conduct of the defendant toward Ms Piluso is not only insensitive and reprehensible. It also calls into question the commitment to citizens of the state and other jurisdictions where it operates.
“Besides suing AGS, we are pressing state regulators for answers, including full disclosure of their investigation into this incident.”
As required by New Jersey law, the state’s acting attorney general, Andrew Bruck, was provided with a copy of the filed complaint.