The Seminole Tribe of Florida has decided to pay a $259,945.75 jackpot despite a machine malfunction.

The tribe hired Gaming Laboratories International, an independent gaming systems firm, to determine whether Freddy Howard, 53, won the money at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The investigation confirmed a computer glitch.

But the tribe will pay Howard, who hired an attorney, contacted the media and planned to picket the casino after he was told he wouldn't get the money.

Get the Story:
Player hits PR jackpot: Casino to pay $260,000 (The Miami Herald 9/20)
Seminole casino pays off on $259,945.75 jackpot, despite computer mistake (The South Florida Sun-Sentinel 9/20)
Man Who Won Big, Then Lost Gets His Money (Local 10 News 9/19)