I doubt its real, if it was it would seem like some Post-Spin to me. I think it really is a big stuff-up. They may fix the situation by doing something in game. But it needs to be fixed. If it's just some big prank it'll be really disappointing. And it's really lame, cause its effectively like this:
Lionhead Casino: "Welcome to the Casino... we have faulty slots over here that pay out more money then the odds just by clicking one time extra... just letting you know."
Player: "Ok, are they roped off or getting fixed or something. They seem to be the only ones we can play?"
Lionhead Casino: "No comment, but we aren't stopping anyone from using them. Can't really discuss any specifics for about a month or more though. Feel free to do whatever you want."
Player goes to leave Lionhead Casino some time later.
Lionhead Casino: "Did you enjoy your stay... my my, you have won an amazing amount of gold there, friend. I see you used those slot machines. Here is your bill, and we also have to disfigure your face, cripple your back and remove about 4 pints of blood."
Player: "WTF, Why??"
Lionhead Casino: "You used the faulty slots... don't you see it was a big test."
Player: "But you never said there was any problem, you never even told anyone if they were actually getting fixed, or when, you just let everyone keep doing it."
Lionhead Casino: "Yes but it was a moral dilema, you failed utterly and now you must be punished. Sorry, I know we didn't even have any established rule set for anyone, we just assumed you would get it."

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. - Carl Sagan