Monte Carlo Gambler Paid Despite Fire
When the Monte Carlo Casino in Las Vegas caught fire on January 25th, it took calm nerves and quick wits by a hotel security guard to help keep a gambler from being separated from her winnings. A woman playing penny slots had just hit for $1577 when the fire alarms sounded.
Casino personnel quickly hustled customers outside. Although the fire, started by faulty welding equipment, had only affected the very top floors, all anyone knew on the casino floor was that the evacuation of the entire building had to be accomplished with great haste and as the highest of priorities.
The woman, a Las Vegas local, was understandably loath to desert her post at the slot machine; yet, because of the jackpot, she was unable to cash out. Paul Berry, an executive with the nearby CityCenter project who had rushed over to help with the evacuation, credits a security employee with reaching a quick solution to the lady's conundrum.
The officer, Berry, and the winner all waved at the nearest security camera, while the officer radioed surveillance to mark the time and location for future reference. Then, as they left the burning building, Berry and the security guard gave the woman their names so that she might use them to verify the circumstances.
A spokesman for MGM Mirage, the company which owns the Monte Carlo, said the customer returned the day after the fire and was promptly paid her winnings.
The Monte Carlo remained closed for several weeks to fix damage to the facade and pass safety inspections before reopening.
