I'm just guessing but I expect that if this is an Indian casino, and since they are a sovereign nation, your friend can say goodby to his $500.00.

I remember reading a case regarding the Gila River Indian Casino in Phoenix that refused to pay out a $250,000 jackpot and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Bottom line, however was that the pressure from the Arizona Republic (the local newspaper) was just too much and the casino paid the money just to ease the negative responses by the patrons.