Star Sydney casino patrons got AU$3.2m (US$2m) in free money as a result of an ATM software glitch. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Milking the situation

Star Entertainment’s woes continue, with the company left red-faced after an ATM malfunction at its Sydney casino last summer led to patrons getting AU$3.2m (US$2m) in free money. People milked the flaw for 13 days before the property resolved it.

the most someone can withdraw through these terminals is AU$2,000 (US$1,288)

A total of 43 individuals got their hands on money after people learned about the software fault in the “ticket in, cash out” machines that pay out slot game winnings. The most someone can withdraw through these terminals is AU$2,000 (US$1,288), with bigger wins requiring a visit to the cashier cage.

A gambling addict allegedly relapsed as a result of the attraction of the free cash. Speaking to local media, Thanh Lan Le explained that she returned after stopping for eight months because her friend’s boyfriend told her about the ATM glitch. She took out AU$57,265 (US$36,898) over a ten-day period and gambled away all of but AU$5,000 (US$3,222).

The consequences

The glitch allowed people to redeem tickets multiple times as the machine only kept one of the coupons when patrons submitted more than one. After discovering the issue, the casino reported to the police anyone who took advantage of the flaw. Le, the relapsed problem gambler, pled guilty to obtaining property by deception and said she would repay the cash.

has a legal obligation to reconcile all payouts and tickets on a daily basis

Her solicitor claimed that the casino company was at fault as it has a legal obligation to reconcile all payouts and tickets on a daily basis as per the region’s anti-money laundering laws. She mentioned that Star gave away AU$3.2m (US$2m) without seeming to notice despite undergoing remediation for previous compliance failings.

Not too flattering

Star Entertainment is currently in the middle of its second inquiry to judge its suitability to run a casino in New South Wales. The property’s state-appointed Special Manager Nicholas Weeks provided evidence this week about a range of issues, including the ATM glitch.

Weeks also outlined a plot involving senior management to oust him from his role and the falsifying of welfare checks on slots players.

He emphasized that the ATM fault went undetected for six weeks and that it took a while for patrons to discover the issue. Weeks blamed both technological and human error, underlining the absence of leadership due to the large number of people who were involved.

The casino company’s head of investor relations even allegedly requested that the chief financial officer bury the AU$3.2m (US$2m) loss in the books.