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Sore Losers Breaking Slot Machines at Aqueduct Racino, Officials Say

By Nigel Chiwaya | July 13, 2012 2:21pm
Losing patrons at Aqueduct have been taking out their frustrations on the slot machines.
Losing patrons at Aqueduct have been taking out their frustrations on the slot machines.
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William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

OZONE PARK — Talk about sore losers!

The Aqueduct racino has been plagued by angry customers who damage the casino's slot machines after failing to win massive jackpots, according to officials and published reports.

According to the Queens District Attorney's office, 41 people have been arrested for damaging slot machines at the Resorts World Casino at Aqueduct since it opened in October.

By contrast, only 19 people have been arrested for larcenies such a pickpocketing, and another 19 have been arrested for assault at the racino, which pulled in a whopping $57.5 million in slot machine revenue in May, the most in the country, officials said.

"I lost $300 without a bonus, so yes, I broke the machine," said one man, George Govan, 56, after he was arrested for punching a terminal in January, according to the New York Times, which first reported the story. Govan pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 90 days in jail.

Patrons that break machines are first offered the chance to pay for the damages with a check or  money order and the police are only called if the person refuses.

Crime spiked in the precinct that covers Aqueduct since the racino opened, but most of the increase was in other areas.