Problem with accidentally taking money left on a slot machine

Frank,

My mother-in-law went to Yonkers Racino five days ago, sat at a slot machine, put money/voucher in, played for a bit then cashed out and went to another slot and did the same. She then went to another slot and all of sudden two security guards told her she stole a man's money left on the first slot she played. They said they checked security video and found her.

She was told she would be arrested if the man wants to file charges. She is 77 years old and was told she was a thief and that she and her friends and her husband must leave the casino now.

She was a wreck, nervous shaking and has a bad leg. So she sat while looking for her husband and the security guard said, "Move from that seat and we will arrest you." They finally gathered her friends, who paid the guy $18.32, which is what the man claims was in the slot machine while he went to the bathroom. Another player said that wasn't true, that the man was on the phone behind the bank of machines.

My mother-in-law left the casino.

Was my mother-in-law a thief? I know if the voucher is showing that is not her property. I read that in Casino Player. So what do you think?

Thanks so much for your time and I enjoy reading all your articles.

Glenn

Dear Glenn:

If the guy did leave $18.32 in the machine, it is his money. However, the treatment of your mother-in-law was ridiculous. It seems to me she had no idea that the money was in the machine. Instead of just asking her to give it back, the security detail seems to have gone way overboard in treating her as if she were Ma Barker as opposed to someone who made an innocent mistake.

I'd recommend that you write a letter to the racino, explain the situation to them and see how they respond. It would be interesting to see what their reaction is to these events.

Racinos are in the customer satisfaction business, otherwise why would anyone gamble at games they can't beat? I do hope your mother-in-law has recovered from her ordeal.

I just put you on my private website at www.goldentouchcraps.com. Please feel free to post. We have over 5,000 members and the conversations are great.

Enjoy!

Frank Scoblete