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It was the man’s money but his sultry companion’s finger who pushed the button that yielded a $100K win at a Hollywood, Florida casino.
Marina Navarro, 35, technically won the $100,000 jackpot and received the prize money as a result.
Jan Flato, 66, allowed his female friend to pull the lever for “good luck” after betting $50 of his money.
The jackpot hit and Flato went to collect the winnings but was denied. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino clerks told him the winnings belonged to Ms. Navarro.
'Upstairs, the eye in the sky says she technically touched the button, so we have to pay her,' Flato told the Miami Herald of the January 31st incident.
A casino spokesperson confirmed that it was Navarro seen on surveillance video pressing the button.
“The person who pushes a slot machine button or pulls the arm is the person who wins the jackpot,' said Seminole spokesman Gary Bitner.
The dispute has resulted in a deterioration of the couple’s friendship.
Navarro claims she was going to share the $100K with Flato until she began receiving threatening texts from her one-time friend.
One of those texts read: “Having me as an enemy... Not good”
Navarro’s Facebook page was flooded with nasty comments, condemning her for what Flato claims was taking advantage of an “unfair rule”.
He said: 'I've played slots all over the country and never had a problem like that. Even the people handing out the money said: 'This isn't right.'
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
