Casino: Big win was just computer glitch

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A casino patron who says he won almost $260,000 on a "Swipe and Win" machine at a South Florida casino is having trouble collecting.

That's because executives at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino say the congratulatory message Freddy Howard got was the result of a computer glitch, the Miami Herald reported.

"When you win, you win. And when you lose, you lose," CEO Jim Allen told reporters after a meeting with Howard.

Allen said the casino has retained an independent consultant to determine if Howard is an actual winner. The findings were expected to be available Friday.

Allen acknowledges that casino employees had Howard sign promotional forms and photographed him holding a cardboard check after he showed them the machine in August. But he contends that the actual message read "Congratulations You've Just Won Progressive Winner $0."

Howard says if he does not get the money he will picket the casino -- holding up the cardboard check.