Katrina Bookman was playing the slots at the Resorts World Casino in Jamaica, Queens when she secured what would have been the largest slot machine jackpot in US history - $42,949,672 (£35.4m).
She took a selfie with the machine to mark the moment, and later said her whole body went 'numb' when she saw the life-changing figure.
Bookman was told to come back the next day to discuss her winnings, but when she asked an employee what she'd be walking away with, he responded: "You didn't win nothing."
The New York State Gaming Commission said Bookman’s machine had malfunctioned, and that she'd actually won just $2.25 (£1.86).
The machine had a disclaimer stating 'malfunctions void all pays and plays', and as a result the commission said that they were required by law to give Bookman only what she'd actually won.
As a gesture of goodwill, the casino offered Bookman a complimentary steak dinner - though that's hardly something to cheer about when you think you've won enough money to eat steak for the rest of your life.
A spokesperson for Resorts World, Dan Bank, told CNN: “Upon being notified of the situation, casino personnel were able to determine that the figure displayed on the penny slot was the result of an obvious malfunction – a fact later confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission.
“After explaining the circumstances to Ms. Bookman, we offered to pay her the correct amount that was shown on the printed ticket. Machine malfunctions are rare, and we would like to extend our apologies to Ms. Bookman for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
She already earmarked the millions, to buy a barber shop for her son and the a big chunk she would give back to her community. The apparent jackpot hit was in late August at Resorts World Casino.
It was casino chaos in video shot by Katrina's partner after she reported her huge winnings (watch in the video player above). She was surrounded by customers and casino personnel and security. Escorted off the casino floor, she was told to come back the next day for the decision.
Katrina remembers her next day visit to the casino, "I said what did I win? (casino rep said) You didn't win nothing." Katrina says the only winning the casino offered was a steak dinner.
"They win and the house doesn't want to pay out. To me that's unfair," says her attorney, Alan Ripka.
Ripka says, at the very least Katrina should win the maximum allowed on the Sphinx machine. The casino says it's $6,500.
"The machine takes your money when you lose. It ought to pay it when you win," said Ripka.
The state gaming commission told us Katrina's machine malfunctioned. Stated on all machines "malfunctions void all pays and plays."
As for Katrina, she still thinks at the minimum she should've been awarded the max payout on that machine.
"I feel I should win the max and I will treat him to a steak dinner," said Bookman.
The New York State Gaming Commission said it pulled the slot machine immediately after the incident - fixed it - and put it back out on the casino floor where it is today.
Eyewitness News asked. Eyewitness News asked whether the casino can award the max pay-out. The gaming commission says by law it can't do that. She's only entitled to her winning, just $2.25.
Katrina plans to sue the casino. They can keep that steak dinner on ice for now, she said.
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