Casino Winner Claims Jackpots After Presenting Residency Proof

In the summer of 2023, Eduardo Cardoso found himself in an unusual predicament. 

After he hit several jackpots at a casino in South Florida, the Cuban man was not allowed to collect his winnings. The reason? A federal restriction.

Frequent Player Stroke It Big Three Times

“I like to go to the casino like any other person likes to go on a weekend,” Cardoso shared with NBC6.

During his visits to the Seminole Classic Casino, the lucky man struck the jackpot not once, not twice, but three times. 

However, instead of walking away with his well-earned prize, he encountered a major obstacle.

“Because I had a Cuban passport, and they say a Cuban passport isn’t valid here,” he explained.

At the time, the casino clarified its stance, stating, “Seminole Casinos always pay out all prize money unless prohibited by Treasury Department regulations.”

According to U.S. government regulations, Cuban nationals are unable to claim casino winnings unless they can provide documentation proving they reside outside of Cuba. 

This means that, in order for Cardoso to collect his winnings, he had to present either a foreign passport, a U.S. passport, or a permanent resident card.

In other words, a hassle for the man who, over the next year and a half, worked diligently to obtain proof of his U.S. residency. 

Once he finally gathered all necessary papers, the casino winner once again reached out to NBC6 which then followed up with the casino in his name.

Perseverance Paid Off

“I was able to claim my winnings,” the man said.

Seminole Classic Casino’s general manager, Edward Aguilar, confirmed the payout, stating, “We’re very happy to confirm we paid Mr. Cardoso his winnings which totaled over $6,000 after he provided us with the required identification documents.”

In total, Cardoso walked away with $6,400, a sum he planned to use for an emotional reunion.

“With that money I am going to go see my mom, my kids, it’s been 16 years since I see them. I feel like crying,” he said.

Before departing for Cuba, he offered a word of caution to others who might find themselves in a similar predicament.

“If you don’t have documents, don’t play because you won’t get paid,” he warned.

The casino maintained from the start that Cardoso’s winnings would be paid as soon as he provided the necessary proof of residency, and they remained true to their word.

These restrictions stem from U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba, which impact Cuban nationals who are still officially residents of the island.

In February, we told the story of a 46-year-old man in Pennsylvania who hit a jackpot at Parx Casino in Bensalem but was unable to claim his winnings as he was registered on the state’s self-exclusion list for gamblers.