ST. MARY, Nebraska (AP) — A malfunctioning gambling device at a Nebraska bar generated several big winning tickets, leaving prosecutors wondering whether crimes were committed.
A keno machine randomly generates numbers, and players place bets on combinations of numbers that they choose. Bettors win if their numbers match what is generated by the machine.
About seven people matched numbers for prizes under $500 on Oct. 31 at Smartville Station bar in St. Mary. The next day, someone won $6,000 and another person won $3,000.
Cass County Keno LLC determined that a software glitch caused the machine to repeat certain numbers in a pattern. Bar owner Susan Goracke says someone figured out the pattern and spread the word. The machine has been removed.
Johnson County Attorney Rick Smith says he’s still deciding whether anyone will be prosecuted.