Hawker in dispute with MBS gets full jackpot winnings
By Hoe Yeen Nie 09 November 2011
A dispute over jackpot winnings between a hawker and the Marina Bay Sands casino has been settled.
58-year-old Choo Hong Eng told Channel NewsAsia the casino has agreed to pay the entire sum of S$416,000. The casino earlier said that the machine had suffered a glitch.
In the weeks since her case came to light, Madam Choo has become a minor celebrity.
She said: "When they (members of the public) see me, they'll ask, is there a resolution? I tell them, not to worry, it'll come eventually. They ask, 'will you get the money'? I say, of course!"
Madam Choo's lucky strike took place at Marina Bay Sands on October 18.
But the casino said the machine was faulty, and offered in exchange, S$50,000 in cash and a sports car worth S$258,962 which she could sell back to the casino for cash.
Madam Choo refused the offer, and hired a lawyer to fight her case.
With CCTV footage and eye-witnesses to back her claim, she gave her statement at the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) on November 1.
Three days later, on November 4, the casino agreed to pay.
Madam Choo, who was in Taiwan at the time, was informed by her lawyer.
She signed the acceptance letter on returning to Singapore on Wednesday, and expects to get the cheque three days after the casino receives her letter.
She said she is happy the case is settled, and will donate nearly half of her winnings to charity.
"It's a matter of principle. I got the money by accident, so I should give back to society, help the needy with their medical expenses, and help the elderly," said Madam Choo.
In a statement, Marina Bay Sands said it "regrets any confusion", and has decided to pay the amount displayed on the slot machine, after carefully reviewing the matter.
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Hawker in dispute with MBS gets full jackpot winnings
By Hoe Yeen Nie
09 November 2011
A dispute over jackpot winnings between a hawker and the Marina Bay Sands casino has been settled.
58-year-old Choo Hong Eng told Channel NewsAsia the casino has agreed to pay the entire sum of S$416,000. The casino earlier said that the machine had suffered a glitch.
In the weeks since her case came to light, Madam Choo has become a minor celebrity.
She said: "When they (members of the public) see me, they'll ask, is there a resolution? I tell them, not to worry, it'll come eventually. They ask, 'will you get the money'? I say, of course!"
Madam Choo's lucky strike took place at Marina Bay Sands on October 18.
But the casino said the machine was faulty, and offered in exchange, S$50,000 in cash and a sports car worth S$258,962 which she could sell back to the casino for cash.
Madam Choo refused the offer, and hired a lawyer to fight her case.
With CCTV footage and eye-witnesses to back her claim, she gave her statement at the Casino Regulatory Authority (CRA) on November 1.
Three days later, on November 4, the casino agreed to pay.
Madam Choo, who was in Taiwan at the time, was informed by her lawyer.
She signed the acceptance letter on returning to Singapore on Wednesday, and expects to get the cheque three days after the casino receives her letter.
She said she is happy the case is settled, and will donate nearly half of her winnings to charity.
"It's a matter of principle. I got the money by accident, so I should give back to society, help the needy with their medical expenses, and help the elderly," said Madam Choo.
In a statement, Marina Bay Sands said it "regrets any confusion", and has decided to pay the amount displayed on the slot machine, after carefully reviewing the matter.
- CNA /ls
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