What was supposed to be the luckiest day of Jasmine Graves’ life turned into a harsh reality check, and now her story is going viral.
Graves, who goes by @just_jazzy on Instagram, shared a candid and emotional video detailing how she won more than $13,000 at a slot machine in a Queens casino—only to walk away with just $1,400 after the state took back a portion due to her history with public assistance and deducted federal and state taxes.
“I accidentally hit the max bet button,” Graves recalled in her now-viral video. “The machine starts dinging, going crazy. I thought I was in a bonus round.”
To her surprise, she had won over $13,000, starting from just a $100 bet. Excitement filled the room as casino staff verified her identity and congratulated her. But the celebration quickly turned sour when she reached the payout counter.
“The lady comes up to me… and she’s like, ‘Public assistance,’” Graves said, mimicking the pit-in-the-stomach moment. “I was on government assistance most of my adult life… but now that I’m finally stable, I thought this win would give me a real leg up.”
According to Graves, the New York Human Resources Administration (HRA) reclaimed approximately $6,500 from her winnings, citing rules that allow them to recover funds owed by individuals who have received public assistance. Add on federal and state taxes, and Graves says she was left with only about $1,400 in her hands.
From Jackpot Joy to Harsh Reality
“I’m spending the money before I even put it in,” she said, describing the anticipation as she imagined new shoes for her kids and some well-earned relief. But that dream quickly dissolved.
“I will never set foot in a casino again,” she said bluntly at the end of the video. “The casino won’t see me.”
The post has sparked heated conversations online about how state governments recoup funds from citizens formerly on welfare and how quickly joy can turn into disappointment, even in moments of seemingly life-changing luck.
Transparency, Tough Lessons
Graves’ openness about her past, growing up with food stamps, welfare, and Section 8 housing, struck a chord with viewers who appreciated her transparency.
Many social media users expressed sympathy, while others debated whether government clawbacks of lottery or casino winnings are fair policy.
One commenter wrote:
“They’ll let you suffer while you’re broke but will show up the second you get a little money. It’s not right.”
Another noted:
“You should’ve gone to a financial advisor before cashing in. These systems are designed to trap you.”
Someone thought she shouldn’t have cashed out the winnings herself:
“Yup! That’s why when you win you find someone else to cash it out for you lol.”
Legal Background
In New York and several other states, lottery and gambling winnings are subject to offsets for debts owed to the state, including unpaid child support, defaulted student loans, and public assistance overpayments.
If the winner has a record with state benefits agencies, they can legally claim a portion of the prize.
A Lesson Shared With Millions
While Graves didn’t walk away with the windfall she hoped for, her story has resonated far beyond the casino floor. It’s become a real-world example of how government policies intersect with personal finance—and a cautionary tale for others who may not realize how the system works.
As Graves put it:
