In an unexpected online error, Hard Rock Bet Casino paid out $1.7 million to hundreds of players who took part in a trivia game, which was free. The online platform was hosting its weekly live trivia game for players in New Jersey. But instead of giving away just a few dollars when players correctly answered a series of trivia questions, Hard Rock Bet Casino accidentally credited every player's account with $5,000, amounting to a substantial $1.7 million - and the 353 players who joined the trivia game were overjoyed, especially after Hard Rock Bet chose not to reclaim their winnings.

Hard Rock Bet Casino made headlines this week after mistakenly awarding a $5,000 prize to each of the 353 participants in its weekly Live Trivia game - totaling a staggering $1.765 million. But in a surprising twist, the company has chosen to let the recipients keep the money.

The incident occurred during Hard Rock Bet's free-to-play online Live Trivia game held on Wednesday for its New Jersey users. Normally, the contest invites players to answer ten timed questions centered around a weekly theme. Those who get at least seven answers correct share a $5,000 prize pool, with individual winnings calculated based on the number of winners.

This time, however, a system error resulted in every eligible player receiving the full $5,000 amount instead of just a portion of the pool. What was meant to be a modest prize distribution ended up becoming a massive payout to hundreds of surprised trivia fans.

A $5,000 question for each winner

Hard Rock Bet confirmed the miscalculation in a statement, noting that exactly 353 players each received the entire $5,000 prize due to the glitch. The total overpayment came out to $1.765 million - more than 350 times the intended payout for the evening. Yet rather than reverse the error or attempt to reclaim the funds, Hard Rock Bet opted to honor the unexpected windfall.

"When made aware of the incorrect Live Trivia payouts, our response was quick and deliberate: the awards stand," said Matt Primeaux, executive managing director and president of Hard Rock Bet. "While others may have tried to claw back the $5,000 awards - Hard Rock Bet wants to put our customers first wherever possible, not just when it's convenient."

Primeaux emphasized the company's commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction, positioning the decision as a reflection of its values. "Hard Rock Bet Casino is determined to provide our players with a simple, fair, and transparent entertainment experience - not one filled with terms and conditions, asterisks, and promotions that can never fully be won."

Customer-centric move wins applause

The bold choice to allow players to keep the full $5,000 has been met with positive feedback online, with many praising Hard Rock Bet for prioritizing customer experience over bottom-line damage control. In a market where promotional fine print often leads to customer frustration, the operator's move stands out.

The trivia feature, which launched only weeks ago, is part of Hard Rock Bet's online casino offerings in New Jersey. Developed in collaboration with gaming technology provider Playtech, the Live Trivia game has become a popular weekly event for users looking to win small cash prizes while testing their knowledge.

A teachable moment in customer loyalty

At present, Hard Rock Bet's online casino operations are limited to New Jersey. But the national attention generated by this mishap could boost the brand's reputation and recognition beyond state lines. Whether or not this decision turns out to be a costly one in the long term remains to be seen. But for now, 353 trivia buffs are celebrating an unexpectedly generous payout - and Hard Rock Bet is basking in the goodwill it earned for owning the mistake.