WGT could mitigate this problem to a large degree by simply adjusting the coin rooms being used. The lower coin rooms see this happen far more frequently than the high stakes coin rooms.
So, now I simply check the coin rooms being used at the start of a showdown... If WGT continues to use the coin rooms where this issue is most likely to be observed and experienced... I save myself the time, frustration, and ball hits and DO NOT enter.
This issue is a known problem, has been reported every single showdown... so now it is up to players to make the best possible decision for themselves to avoid the added frustration.
The only option to try and minimize this particular glitch would be play the highest stakes expert division but to do that you are required to spend 1000 credits, which is a bit excessive and ensures you will be forced to compete against elite and esports professionals where 99.9999% of the players have little to no chance to break even.
Choose wisely....