–alleges slot machine malfunctioned

CONTRACTOR Somar Shako of 283 Zeelugt, East Bank, Essequibo, has filed a writ against the company of Princess Casino, claiming that after winning $20M at the slot machine, he was denied the money on the grounds that the machine had malfunctioned.

In the summons issued by a team of lawyers headed by Mr. Maxwell Mc Kay, the plaintiff is asking the court to compel the defendants to pay the $20M prize money and $3M damages for breach of contract and $2M for loss of income.
In a statement of claim to support the writ, Shako said that he began gambling at the casino two years ago when he was issued a club membership that allowed him to access the facility without an identity check or having to produce any documents.
On Caricom Day, July 7, 2014, Shako said he entered into an implied contractual agreement by custom with the casino, to be paid all winnings when he entered into the facility at Providence to gamble.
Continuing, the statement of claim said that after playing over 40 games on the slot machine, it visually announced the Jackpot winnings of $20,300,306.
At this stage, Shako said he was immediately approached by the supervisor of the slot machine. An attendant with a name tag identifying him as ‘Delon’ requested Shako’s name in order to make payment.
However, the process was interrupted by one of the casino’s manager, who asked Shako to remove from the machine.
According to Shako, the manager then opened a part of the said machine and deleted the winning message, in the presence of several persons who had surrounded the machine to congratulate Shako on his winnings.
Later, Shako was informed by the casino manager that slot machine #340 was malfunctioning and that as a result the casino cannot make any payments to hm.
Shako is asking the court to order that he be paid his $20M winnings. He is also seeking damages in the sum of $2M for loss of income and $3M for breach of contract.
The matter is fixed for hearing on August 20th .
On that day, the defendants are likely to apply to the court for leave to file an affidavit in answer.

(By George Barclay)