A Cuban man went on a lucky streak while playing at the Seminole Classic Casino in Florida during the summer of 2023, hitting three slot machine jackpots. The joy quickly wore off, though, as he did not receive any of his winnings. The property would not honor the payout because his Cuban passport wasn’t considered a valid form of identification.
The casino clearly stated its rule that it will always payout winnings “unless specifically dictated by Treasury Department regulations.”
Cuba is on a list of countries that are subject to strict economic sanctions
Cuba is on a list of countries that are subject to strict economic sanctions by the US, meaning that citizens need to show an alternative form of citizenship or prove they’re living in a third country before getting their money.
Eduardo had to wait 18 months before receiving proof of his US residence, at which point he approached the casino for his $6,400 in winnings. He plans to visit his mother and kids for the first time in 16 years using the money, telling local media that he felt like crying he was so happy.