The Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Cyprus has strongly refuted allegations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had acquired a casino in Kyrenia. In an official statement, the embassy characterized these reports as “another lie” intended to discredit Ukraine and its leadership and to create diplomatic friction between Kyiv and Nicosia.

Ukraine Blamed Russian Hybrid Warfare

Rumors have been circulating that President Zelensky is the new owner of the Vuni Palace Casino and Hotel, a prominent establishment in Kyrenia, Cyprus. The embassy decisively denied these claims, asserting that “Russian propaganda is spreading a false story” and emphasizing the absence of any credible evidence to support these allegations.

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the stance of the Ukrainian embassy, remarking that no evidence has surfaced to corroborate the claims regarding Zelensky’s involvement in the casino purchase. These two supporting claims should be enough to refute the accusations, especially considering the initial report regarding the alleged casino purchase did not contain concrete evidence.

This false information is yet another lie aimed at discrediting Ukraine and its leadership in the eyes of the world community.

Embassy of Ukraine

The embassy also underscored that the spread of this false information likely aimed to strain diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Cyprus. While the embassy did not have any direct evidence of Russian involvement, misinformation campaigns against Ukraine have been increasingly common. They urged the public and media professionals to rely on credible sources and remain alert against “manipulation and propaganda.” 

The Original Report Was Based on a Fake Website

The contentious report originated from the Turkish website OdaTV and was then picked up by various pro-Kremlin social media outlets. The article alleged that while Western nations were supplying Ukraine with financial and military support, Zelensky had diverted his focus to the casino industry, neglecting the needs of his country to pursue personal pleasures. 

OdaTV claimed that a company named “Film Heritage Inc.,” registered in Belize and supposedly owned by Zelensky acquired the Vuni Palace Casino Hotel in early May 2024. However, a closer investigation revealed that the property’s supposed website containing this information was fake. The casino hotel’s genuine webpage does not mention this deal, and its owners confirmed they have not sold the property.

While Vuni Palace Casino Hotel has reportedly stopped accepting reservations as of 27 May, according to Booking.com, the mounting evidence against OdaTV’s claims means the rumor is almost certainly false. This case highlights the need for proper media hygiene, especially considering the ongoing media misinformation campaign surrounding the Ukraine crisis.

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GambleAware chief executive Zoë Osmond has robustly defended the charity’s work following a recent complaint from the Good Law Project. This complaint, filed in March, questions how effectively GambleAware disseminates information and accuses its trustees of failing to provide adequate gambling harm education.

The Good Law Project argues that GambleAware’s underperformance stems from its industry ties and its “reliance on industry funding.” In response, Osmond reaffirmed the charity’s independent stance, stating to iGB that GambleAware operates independently from the gambling industry.

Osmond has once again reiterated GambleAware’s independence and expressed confidence that the complaint will not be upheld. The Charity Commission is still assessing whether it needs to take action regarding the complaint.

“Our robust governance and commissioning practices ensure that the industry has no influence over our operations. GambleAware’s independence has been widely recognised by a range of stakeholders including the government, as evidenced in the gambling white paper,” Osmond stated.

She further criticized the Good Law Project’s complaint, labeling it as based on “misleading and outdated information.” While confident that the complaint will be dismissed, Osmond voiced concerns over the potential negative impact of such claims on GambleAware’s services and their beneficiaries.

Concerns Over Impact on Vulnerable Players

GambleAware is not just dismissing the complaint as baseless but also highlighting its potential adverse effects on at-risk gamblers who rely on the charity’s support services. The charity fears that such claims may discourage individuals from seeking help.

Osmond elaborated, “The deeply stigmatized nature of gambling harms often makes it difficult for individuals to reach out for help. Maintaining the credibility and reputation of essential support services is crucial to reaching people before their gambling issues become catastrophic.”

She emphasized that undermining these services risks harming not just those directly seeking help but also the families and friends affected by their loved ones’ gambling problems.

Defending Treatment Effectiveness

To bolster its defense, GambleAware pointed to statistics from the National Gambling Support Network. These statistics reveal that nine out of ten vulnerable players who complete their treatment see an improvement in their condition. For those whose conditions did not improve, 69% did not complete their treatment.

GambleAware also highlighted the significant reach of its resources, including its website, which attracts 6.5 million visits annually. Furthermore, the charity’s national stigma public health campaign has reached over 95% of the population, showcasing its extensive efforts to address gambling harms.

GambleAware remains steadfast in its commitment to providing independent and effective support to those affected by gambling harms. The charity continues to defend its practices and reputation against the allegations made by the Good Law Project, underscoring its vital role in the fight against gambling-related issues.

Source: “GambleAware defends its position after ‘misleading and outdated claims’”. iGamingBusiness. May 20, 2024.

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Hitting a million-dollar casino jackpot can trigger a carousel of emotions at any age. However, for a 72-year-old retired school teacher in Shamong, New Jersey, the initial burst of happiness when she realized she had won more than $2 million came to an abrupt end. 

Her initial shock and “dream come true” feeling was soon washed away, leaving room for a nightmare as she was informed by casino officials her winnings would be denied because of an alleged glitch in the system.

Shocking Experience for the Senior Player

R.B., who spoke to 6ABC Action News to share her story, described herself as a fervent fan and frequent player of slot machines. 

She explained that, at the end of February, she went to Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City and spent hundreds of dollars on a Wheel of Fortune machine.

“I was hoping for $1,000, saying, Please God let me win,” she recalled, followed by the memory of the machine going off, saying “You’re a winner” and seeing the gold coins popping out. 

The woman also recalled “this very nice guy” saying “Oh my God, you hit, you hit! Lady, you’re a millionaire,” adding even more to her original excitement. She allegedly won a jackpot of $1.2 million. The senior also claimed that she hit the multiplier.

While everyone around her continued to celebrate, claimed R.B., she eventually hit the service button on the slot machine and saw the security crew swarming in.

“That’s when the sentences came up ’tilted,” she remembered. The former school teacher said that she was told that she had won “nothing” and that the respective slot machine was dealing with a malfunction referred to as a “reel tilt.” 

She was explained the said malfunction or glitch in the system would void her win.

R.B. also recalled that a Bally’s attendant opened the machine and asked her to “spin it off” which she refused to do.

“He had it rolling real slow. He had it opened and then he is pushing it” only to offer her a $350 win in the end.

R.B.’s attorney, Mike Dicroce, claimed Bally’s attendants “fooled with the machine before anybody else had the opportunity to take a look at this.” Dicroce added that that respective action by a casino attendant could have tampered with evidence of his client’s jackpot win.

Accordingly, he required the New Jersey Gaming Enforcement, Bally’s, and slotmaker International Game Technology (IGT), which is the responsible party for the payout, to hold on to the machine and the video footage from the casino floor for an independent forensic review.

Not the First Occurrence of Its Kind

Apparently, this is not the first time that the reel tilt glitch was disputed on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine.

In 2000, attorney Jacques Bezou took New Orleans‘ Harrah Casino and IGT to court after his client disputed the same glitch.

Bezou explained IGT’s position that claimed that despite the fact that the symbols came up “aesthetically,” the outcome wasn’t considered a win for his client “because the computer says it wasn’t a win.”

Neither the jury nor the appellate judges agreed to IGT’s claim. At the end of a lengthy legal limbo that lasted several years, IGT was held responsible for the $1.3 million jackpot.

R.B. is hopeful that the law and an ounce of luck would also help her cash in on what she thinks is rightfully hers.

Besides the $1.28 million jackpot and multiplier that would raise her win to $2.56 million, she also plans on filing a distress claim for over $1 million.

She explained she was anxious and “upset” because she wanted the money so she could buy a trailer for her homeless son. 

“Why would I ever go to a casino again in my life? Any casino? Why, if there is no hope,” she added.

In April 2021, a 54-year-old online casino player from Lincolnshire received his winnings from Betfred after following London’s High Court decision in his favor. 

He was finally denied the win by the operator who claimed a software error had occurred. 

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The Hoosier Lottery Commission in Indiana has approved a $50,000 Powerball prize for a man named Paul Marshall, even though his winning ticket was torn to pieces by a store employee. The decision came during a recent meeting in Indianapolis, where five commissioners unanimously supported Marshall’s appeal.

Hoosier Lottery Commission Validates $50,000 Win

The incident unfolded when Marshall returned to the store where he purchased the winning ticket to validate it. A store employee, in the habit of tearing up lottery tickets after checking them with the lottery terminal, mistakenly shredded Marshall’s winning ticket. Indiana retailers are not authorized to pay out prizes exceeding $600, adding to Marshall’s predicament.

When Marshall went to the claim center with the printed slip containing instructions on prize collection, he was informed that the physical ticket was required for payout. Fortunately, lottery officials were able to reconstruct the sequence of events by visiting the store and reviewing video surveillance footage, confirming Marshall’s account.

Chuck Taylor, the lottery director of legal affairs and compliance, stated that the commissioners unanimously approved Marshall’s prize payout after verifying the authenticity of his claim, reported The Lottery Post. 

The Hoosier Lottery Commission attributed the clerk’s mistake to muscle memory. However, all is well that ends well and Marshall can now celebrate his $50,000 Powerball win, turning a torn ticket mishap into a fortunate twist of fate.

While Marshall’s story had a happy ending, another individual, Drena Harris, faced a less fortunate outcome. Harris, who won $500 on a scratch card, had her claim denied by the commissioners. Her winning ticket, posted on Facebook, was fraudulently claimed by one of her followers, who managed to cash out the prize before Harris could collect it. The lottery commission emphasized the importance of caution when sharing lottery wins on social media, citing Harris’s case as a cautionary tale.

In other lottery news, a cashier’s error at a Michigan gas station led to a $390,000 windfall for Lucky for Life player Michael Sopejstal from Illinois. The cashier mistakenly printed a ticket with 10 lines for one draw instead of 10 draws, and when Sopejstal opted to keep the ticket, he later discovered he had won the $25,000 a year for life jackpot. Despite contemplating the lifetime option, Sopejstal ultimately chose the lump sum and plans to use the money for a vacation, saving the remainder.

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The California Lottery has officially announced a historic win in the Powerball drawing held on July 19. A lucky ticket sold at the Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles, a neighborhood known for its struggles with homelessness and crime, has matched all six winning numbers, securing an astounding $1.08 billion jackpot, making it the third-largest in Powerball history since its inception in 1992. 

Store Owner Elated After Selling $1.08B Powerball Jackpot Ticket

California regulations require the winner to be publicly identified, adding to the anticipation and curiosity surrounding this extraordinary event. 

The store owner, Nabor Herrera, was elated to discover that he had sold the winning ticket at his shop. Speaking in Spanish, Herrera expressed his joy and speculated that the winner might be a Latino, given that most of his customers are from the Latino community.

Herrera is also set to receive the substantial sum of $1 million for selling the winning $1.08 billion Powerball jackpot ticket. Having owned the store for seven years, Herrera expressed his intentions to utilize the seller bonus to expand his business, further enhancing the Las Palmitas Mini Market’s offerings and services. Additionally, he plans to create unforgettable memories with his family by treating them to a well-deserved vacation in either Cabo San Lucas or Cancun, Mexico.

Emotional Reactions Unfold as Woman Claims Powerball Jackpot at Las Palmitas Mini Market

Amidst the celebrations, a woman claiming to be the lucky winner made an appearance at the Las Palmitas Mini Market, where reporters were quick to capture her emotional reaction on camera, reported The Independent. Overwhelmed with joy, she embraced strangers and fought back tears. 

However, some scepticism arose within the community regarding the authenticity of her claims. Sarai Palacios, the granddaughter of the store owner, suggested that the woman might be faking her emotional outburst, speculating that she might have sought attention and media coverage.

In contrast, Herrera’s daughters believed that the woman could indeed be the daughter of one of their regular customers, adding a layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga.

California Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker assured the public that they would conduct a thorough verification process to ensure the legitimacy of the winner’s claim. During a press conference, Becker emphasized that anybody claiming to be the winner wouldn’t be considered valid until they said it was.

In other news, a man from Dayton, Ohio, became Jackpocket’s 30th millionaire after winning $1 million in the Powerball. The leading lottery app in the US reached a significant milestone, with more people using the platform for a chance to win life-changing sums, as the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to grow.

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Tommy Wilson is the name of the 74-year-old player from Las Cruces who claims he won a jackpot of $542,000 on a slot machine at the casino owned by Pueblo of San Felipe on February 25. 

However, what should have been one of the happiest days of his life for the unemployed veteran turned into a stressful event, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The newspaper revealed that the Black Mesa Casino invoked a system glitch in the slot machine that apparently rendered the player’s win illegitimate.  

The Player Spent $100 on the Buffalo-Themed Slot

On the controversial day, the player placed bets that totaled around $100 on the buffalo-themed slot game that brought him the big win in five or six minutes’ time. Or so he thought. Shortly after the slot machine announced the big jackpot, it shut down out of the blue. 

The players who witnessed what had happened started congratulating the player on his win, but this did not convince casino management that there was an actual win to begin with. After they completed the necessary diagnostics on the slot machine, they explained to Wilson that his win was not a legitimate one. The casino argued they came across a “digital or electronic glitch” and, accordingly, decided not to pay him. 

Wilson was informed by a casino employee of the possibility of filing a complaint with the Black Mesa Casino gaming commission. The latter is an independent body that is not related to the state regulator, which is the Gaming Control Board. The board is responsible for monitoring compliance of the gaming tribes in the state under the approval of tribal or state gaming compacts.

Too “Perturbed” to File the Complaint

Wilson claimed he was too perturbed to file a complaint on the spot. He also failed to take any photos of the winning slot screen or write down the names of the other players who had witnessed what had happened. 

Instead of following the complaint filing procedure, he went to Denver where he was scheduled for a job interview. Later that week, he returned to the Black Mesa Casino, determined this time to file the complaint and ask for his jackpot.

After the casino asked for his phone number and email address, he decided to try his luck on the slots once more. He won twice within 30 minutes on the same machine that had originally brought him the huge jackpot the previous week.

Wilson recalled the game had a lion/African theme in place and that it was most likely called Kings of Africa. He scored a win of $1,226 and another one of $1,446. In spite of his good fortune, the player who is still jobless and who recently underwent a triple bypass surgery is still looking for justice, stating “justice will come in the form of karma.” 

Wilson added he would be even willing to accept a $50,000 payment as an apology from the casino. However, the player who actively served in the US Air Force was offered “nothing” by the casino that runs a promotion that gives away a $10 free play bonus on Wednesdays to army veterans and active-duty service people. 

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