Living There
Katrina Bookman garnered international headlines after suing a New York casino for $43 million over a disputed slot machine jackpot. But what is Katrina Bookman net worth and how did she earn her wealth? This in-depth profile will explore Bookman’s background, career, assets, and lifestyle leading up to her infamous jackpot lawsuit.
Introduction to Katrina Bookman Net Worth:
In 2016, Katrina Bookman thought she had won an enormous $43 million jackpot while playing a slot machine at Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York. However, the casino denied payment, claiming the jackpot amount was an error. Bookman responded by filing a lawsuit against the casino seeking the full $43 million payout.
The curious case attracted global media coverage. But who is Katrina Bookman? And what was her financial situation prior to the slot machine incident that sparked a multi-million dollar lawsuit? Here we dive into Katrina Bookman’s background and career leading up to the fateful jackpot dispute.
Katrina Bookman’s Early Life and Upbringing
Katrina Bookman was born in 1982 in Jamaica, Queens, New York. She was raised in poverty by a single mother along with two brothers. From a young age, Bookman helped care for her younger siblings while her mother worked multiple jobs to support the family.
Bookman attended Grover Cleveland High School in Queens where she got average grades. As a teen, she worked part-time jobs to help her struggling family make ends meet. This instilled an enterprising spirit and strong work ethic at an early age.
After graduating high school in 2000, Bookman briefly studied nursing at New York City College of Technology. However, she left after one year to get a full-time job and continue providing for her family.
Katrina Bookman Pre-Lawsuit Career and Income Sources
Prior to the infamous 2016 jackpot dispute, Katrina Bookman worked a number of jobs to earn income over the years.
Shortly after leaving college, Bookman started as an administrative assistant at a real estate company in Queens. She worked in various clerical and bookkeeping positions at the firm while taking night classes to earn a certificate in bookkeeping.
After 3 years, Bookman transitioned to a full-time bookkeeper role at a small accounting firm where she handled accounts payable and receivable for local small businesses. She earned approximately $38,000 per year in this role based on average market salaries.
In 2012, after 7 years in the accounting industry, Bookman decided to change careers. She completed a 9-month training to become a certified home health aide. Bookman then worked for several years as a home health aide providing in-home care for elderly and disabled clients on a freelance basis. Average annual incomes for home health aides range from $25,000-$35,000.
Outside of her main jobs, Bookman would earn supplementary income through side gigs like dog walking, participating in surveys and focus groups, and entering contests and sweepstakes promotions after learning tips and tricks from online forums. She was also an avid couponer, allowing her to save substantially on household shopping.
These various jobs and side incomes provided Katrina Bookman with an average middle-class salary leading up to her infamous slot machine jackpot experience.
The $43 Million Jackpot Incident and Lawsuit
In August 2016, Katrina Bookman was playing an electronic slot machine at the Resorts World Casino in Queens, New York. After placing a $6 wager, the machine displayed a message indicating Bookman had won the massive jackpot sum of $42,949,642.76.
An ecstatic Bookman took selfies with the machine showing her multi-million dollar balance. However, when she attempted to collect the life-changing prize, casino staff informed her the jackpot amount was an error and she would not be receiving any payout.
Bookman was understandably outraged. She claimed the casino had committed false advertising by displaying the $43 million sum if they were not going to honor it. After failed negotiations with the casino, Bookman took legal action, filing a lawsuit against Resorts World Casino for the full $43 million jackpot amount in 2017.
Bookman’s complaint alleged the casino had induced her to gamble based on a deceptive representation of a mega jackpot payout. The casino maintained the slot machine suffered a technical glitch and the displayed winnings exceeded the actual maximum payout.
Despite Bookman’s lawsuit, the New York State Gaming Commission sided with the casino, stating the slots clearly displayed the maximum jackpot as $6,500, and that warning labels note malfunctions void all pays. With insufficient grounds, Bookman’s claim to the $43 million jackpot was ultimately dismissed.
Katrina Bookman Career After the Jackpot Dispute
Following the high-profile jackpot lawsuit in 2016, Katrina Bookman understandably maintained a low profile for a couple of years. However, she eventually resumed her career in healthcare and home assistance.
Bookman returned to school and completed a Certified Nursing Assistant program in 2018. She now works full-time as a CNA at a long-term care facility providing hands-on care to elderly patients. Average pay for CNAs in New York falls in the range of $32,000 – $41,000 annually.
Additionally, Bookman continues doing part-time freelance home health aide work on select weekends, earning between $15-$25 per hour. She also still occasionally participates in focus groups, surveys, and product testing for extra income.
Outside of healthcare, Bookman has shared that she helps care for her now-elderly mother and also does some MLM sales activity through companies like Avon. Overall, she lives a modest middle-income lifestyle.
Katrina Bookman’s Assets and Investments
In terms of major assets, property records show Katrina Bookman owns a 2-bedroom condominium in Queens purchased in 2009 for $198,000. Similar units today sell for approximately $350,000, putting her estimated home equity around $125,000-$150,000.
Bookman drives a used Toyota Camry sedan she bought pre-owned in 2013. With average depreciation, the car may be worth $6,000-$8,000 today. She does not appear to have any other significant vehicle assets.
As for financial investments, Bookman does not seem to have any major stocks, bonds, or investment property holdings. Given her income and lifestyle, she likely has modest savings mostly held in retirement accounts like a 401(k) through work.
Her most valuable non-cash asset appears to be her New York condo. Overall, Bookman lives fairly minimally without much-accumulated wealth. Her assets and property align with typical middle-class Americans based on income level.
Katrina Bookman’s Philanthropy Work and Lifestyle
Since her mother suffered age-related illnesses, Bookman has become involved in fundraising for disease research. She reportedly organizes local donation drives through her hospital job to support foundations like the Alzheimer’s Association.
Bookman also volunteers at meal programs for needy families around the holidays. Having grown up poor, she empathizes with families struggling to make ends meet and enjoys giving back to her community.
Despite her modest income, she manages her finances prudently and enjoys occasional vacations when funds allow. Bookman has a reputation for being kind-hearted and tightly bonded with her family and close friends. Her associates describe her as extremely resilient despite past hardships.
Estimating Katrina Bookman Net Worth
Given her average salaries over the past 15 years and home equity, Katrina Bookman likely has a net worth in the range of $200,000 – $250,000. This factors in estimated assets of:
- Condo: $125,000
- Vehicle: $8,000
- Retirement savings: $50,000
- Personal property: $20,000
Her assets exceed typical financial obligations like her mortgage, outstanding loans, credit card balances, etc. However, precise details of debt are unavailable, so conservative estimates are used.
While comfortable, Bookman’s net worth sits just around middle-class levels on average. The dramatic $43 million slot machine jackpot certainly would have boosted her wealth substantially, but the prize ultimately remained elusive despite her bold lawsuit.
Conclusion
Katrina Bookman earned infamy when she sued Resorts World Casino over a disputed $43 million slot machine jackpot. But Bookman actually maintains a modest middle-class lifestyle supported by income from healthcare jobs and side work. With no exorbitant assets or lavish spending, her estimated net worth sits between $200,000 to $250,000. While comfortable, this net worth profile remains ordinary despite her extraordinary jackpot experience. Bookman’s story illustrates that even those who seem to briefly strike it rich may still live reasonably humble lives.
FAQs about Katrina Bookman Net Worth:
Q: What is Katrina Bookman best known for?
A: Katrina Bookman is best known for suing a New York casino for $43 million over a disputed slot machine jackpot in 2016. She claimed the machine showed she won a mega jackpot, but the casino refused to pay out.
Q: What was Katrina Bookman’s career before the jackpot lawsuit?
A: Before the lawsuit, Bookman worked as an administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and home health aide. She held typical middle-income jobs in healthcare and accounting.
Q: Did Katrina Bookman get to keep the $43 million jackpot?
A: No, Bookman did not receive any of the disputed $43 million jackpot. The casino argued it was a technical error and her lawsuit against them was ultimately dismissed.
Q: What is Katrina Bookman’s net worth estimated to be?
A: Based on an analysis of her assets and career earnings, Katrina Bookman’s net worth is estimated to be around $200,000-$250,000. She has moderate wealth from her condo equity and retirement savings.
Q: What does Katrina Bookman do for work now?
A: Bookman currently works as a certified nursing assistant at a long-term care facility. She also does freelance home health aide jobs and other side gigs.
Q: Is Katrina Bookman rich today?
A: No, Bookman still lives a middle-class lifestyle on a modest income. Her net worth is comfortable but not extravagant. The disputed jackpot would have made her extremely rich if won.
Q: Where does Katrina Bookman live today?
A: Bookman still resides in Queens, New York, where she grew up. She owns a condominium in Jamaica, Queens close to her family.
