Near-Record Slot Jackpot Hit at Nevada Casino
Easter Sunday will forever be a special day for a Nevada woman who won a jackpot at a local casino this past weekend. Rachael Romanick won $33 million at Terrible's Rail City Casino in Sparks, gambling on a slot machine for only ten minutes before winning the giant prize.The payout represents the largest in northern Nevada history, and falls just behind the world slot jackpot record of $39.7 million, won at the Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas in 2003.
Romanick was reportedly playing $3 a spin for only a few minutes at a Megabucks game at the casino when the bells and lights started screaming. She said she had planned to stay home and have a quiet Easter, but a friend persuaded her to keep him company at the casino.
"I had to ask someone if this was for real. I kind of froze because this was so unexpected," Romanick stated.
The casino is operated by Herbst Gaming, which recently declared bankruptcy and is selling off its Nevada casinos. But the game is supplied by International Game Technology, who will guarantee the jackpot.
"We are very pleased to have a local winner for the second largest jackpot in IGT history," said Ed Rogich, IGT vice president of marketing. "This is truly monumental and will be a life-altering prize for Rachael and her family."
