Broken slot machine 'doubled payouts'

Broken slot machine 'doubled payouts'

A malfunctioning video lottery terminal gave gamblers credit for twice as much money as they had inserted, erroneously paying out $US450,115 ($A564,865) during two months at a Rhode Island casino.

The machine was removed July 15 from the Twin River casino after the problem was discovered.

The company that supplied the machine, Gtech, says it has reimbursed the money to the state.

It is investigating whether any criminal activity occurred, whether the company can recoup any of the lost money and whether the problem could have been discovered earlier, company spokesman Robert Vincent said.

Vincent said the machine's money-doubling feature apparently was turned on accidentally.

The feature allows patrons to get credit for double the amount of money they put in, with a maximum of a $US100 ($A125) credit for a $US50 ($A62.75) bill.

The state will keep $US274,000 ($A343,855) of the reimbursed money, and the rest will be distributed among Gtech, Twin River and its home town of Lincoln.

Source: The Age