I can't update OP anymore, but time for an update and confession.
The truth is that I am not the actual person in OP, it is in fact about
@Hornet and
@Headhunter13, the rest of the details are very accurate as they gave me them and permission to make the post. They were invited to play at
@Goldfish game about 2 years ago now. They both won pretty big and were not paid out because one of the regulars in the game never paid. They brought cash to buy in and were never told that credit was used extensively. They have tried to work with Goldfish and have been very patient trying to recover the money they won, but it has been a fruitless venture so far. Goldfish has told them he is still trying to collect the money from the player but no other information has been given.
So if you are ever invited to play at Goldfish's game, be aware that it is run on credit and the host feels no responsibility to make the players whole since he doesn't rake the game, but does extend the credit.