Louisiana’s Jena Choctaw Pines Casino Continues to Repair Weekend Computer Glitches

Posted on: February 17, 2020, 11:00h. 

Last updated on: February 17, 2020, 12:34h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A Louisiana tribal gaming property was still trying to correct computer malfunctions that apparently impacted slots over the Presidents Day weekend.

Louisiana’s Jena Choctaw Pines Casino reportedly was still facing technical glitches Monday morning. (Image: KALB TV)

Jena Choctaw Pines Casino reportedly was facing technical glitches Monday morning, though many issues are likely resolved. As of Friday, 300 of their 710 slots were shut down, according to KALB TV News.

The Grant Parish tribal casino said there were communication malfunctions between the slots on the gaming floor and computer servers, the station reported.

It appeared to impact players trying to check reward points or attempting to get cash. The communication link appears to have broken, but it was unclear early this weekend why it happened.

“It’s one of those things where you are in shock and don’t believe this is happening,” Keith Young, marketing director for the casino, told KALB.

National Indian Gaming Commission Contacted

The casino promptly contacted the National Indian Gaming Commission and on-site engineers were trying to repair issues over the weekend. Engineers not only planned to fix existing issues, but wanted to revamp the computer system. That means closing the gaming floor for two to four hours, the TV station reported earlier this weekend.

I would love to be able to say, yes, this is exactly what happened, because we would know exactly what to do to go and fix it,” Young told KALB on Friday. “Unfortunately, we still don’t have that data. Once we get that and can now attack it — and frankly, that’s why we are building it from the ground up — because whatever it was, we are going to make sure it doesn’t exist anymore.”

Casino employees were giving players cash winnings by hand, the news report said. As of Friday, the glitch did not impact the rewards points system.

“To our knowledge no one has … (lost their points) … and it’s our sincere hope it doesn’t [happen],” Young told the station. “Once it’s said and done, we have agencies that we will work with to go through the STEM — and say, yeah, we think all the player data is there and the player points are there.

“…We’ll devise some systems to at least make people happy about the fact that at least they did this for us,” he added. Four years ago, the casino experienced a relatively small computer compromise, KALB said.

As of Saturday, the casino reported on its Facebook page that its gaming floor was “back up and running, so games are up, cash-out tickets are printing, and Player Rewards/Jena Cash is working.

“The teams are continuing to work hard to get some of the other background functions up….,” the casino’s Saturday post said. “A few things that are still being worked on…: the Glory kiosk (where you cash out tickets for money), the Players Club kiosk, and using points to pay or process credit cards at the Buffet and Cutters.”

Because of the glitch, the casino canceled Sunday’s Spinnin’ & Winnin’ tournament.

Player Claims Machines Not Fixed as of Monday

But one Facebook user, Keith Swank, posted a comment on Monday indicating the casino’s “Machines still not fixed. Hit pay screens and they won’t pay.”

An attendant reportedly told Swank the casino was still having “problems with machines.

“But still no pay. Will never go back. Machines repeated hit same screens spin after spins. Took my perks and my money,” the player post adds.

Sick in Lake Charles

Earlier this month, an outbreak of a norovirus-related illness at another Louisiana casino left at least 200 people sick and led to an investigation by state health officials.

The Department of Health confirmed the illnesses reported at L’Auberge Casino in Lake Charles were norovirus-related, news media said.

The norovirus is a type of gastrointestinal illness, or stomach virus, that is spread easily from person to person or from consuming contaminated food or water. It causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, and usually runs its course after about three days.

Health officials have stressed that the illness should not be confused with the novel coronavirus outbreak that has consumed the headlines over the past few weeks and caused multiple deaths.