She will at the very least get the $6500 that is supposed to be the maximum payout from that machine. Especially if it’s posted somewhere in the fine print of the casino.
Usually what is posted on just about every machine is “Malfunction voids all pays and plays”
You are correct. If the casino has any brains, they will pay her the top prize for that machine. If they fight it I hope they lose.
This is very common in the “Indian” - Native American casinos scattered across the country.
The winner is usually offered about 3% to 10% of the reward they actually won. If the player does not accept that, they have to sue in the Tribal Courts, since the event occurred on a “reservation” (sic) “native American land.” They have virtually no chance of success.
We had two clients who were SOL. Tribe finally settled for 30% to avoid the bad publicity. Had we moved to litigation, it would have meant 5-12 years, with, as I said, an Indian judge, from the tribe in question, deciding the issue!