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Gambler bets $5 on slot machine — and wins big jackpot in Las Vegas

Two people have won jackpots at a Las Vegas casino.
Two people have won jackpots at a Las Vegas casino. JP Holecka via Unsplash

A gambler walked away from a Las Vegas casino with a big jackpot prize.

The visitor sat at a “Wheel of Fortune” slot machine Oct. 4 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the casino said in a news release.

The guest bet $5, hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen until a jackpot message appeared.

The gambler won $275,731.

That wasn’t the only jackpot win at the casino recently.

Another guest from California bet $1 on Big Dollar Gold slot machine on Sept. 19, McClatchy News reported.

The player won $20,000.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is about a 2-mile drive southeast from the Las Vegas Strip.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Gambler bets $5 on slot machine — and wins big jackpot in Las Vegas."

Profile Image of Helena Wegner
Helena Wegner
McClatchy DC
Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.
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