STATE : Big Spin Winner Also Wins Big in Court; $3.4-Million Verdict Upheld

The California Lottery lost a court bid today to overturn a $3.4-million judgment awarded to a Los Angeles woman who was denied a $3-million lottery prize when her ball bounced out of its slot in a Big Spin game.

Superior Court Judge Robert Lopez refused to grant a new trial in the case after hearing arguments by lawyers for Doris Barnett and the state lottery.

Barnett, 54, was elated Dec. 30, 1985, when she watched her ball land in the $3-million slot. Geoff Edwards, the master of ceremonies, declared Barnett a $3-million winner, but seconds later, the ball bounced out and came to rest in a $10,000 slot. Barnett sued and a jury decided she should get $3 million and $400,000 for emotional trauma.