A local resident, Barnett T., hit a $2,995,532 progressive jackpot on an IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts last Thursday. The major prize was the largest jackpot of any kind in Empire City’s history.
Barnett stopped by Empire City to reprint a W-2 form to finalize his 2024 tax return and took a seat at the Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars. After a few spins, the reels aligned for the life-changing top prize.
Barnett now joins Empire City’s “millionaires club,” which includes Theresa P. of Ossining, who previously held the record with her win of $2,919,162. Linda P. of Connecticut won $1,514,634, Howard G. of Long Island took home $1,473,503 and Leo of Yonkers secured his spot with a $1.088 million jackpot.
A few months ago, Barnett won more than $46,000 at Empire City on another machine, mirroring fellow ‘millionaires club’ member Theresa P., who famously hit two separate million-dollar jackpots five months apart. In a quirky twist, on the day Theresa scored her second seven-figure win, Barnett had been playing that same machine earlier.
“The whole experience has been surreal,” said Barnett. “I actually felt more excited when I hit the $46,000 jackpot a few months ago. When this one happened, it didn’t feel real at first. When you’re looking at the machine, you just don’t believe it. I’ve been playing at Empire City for more than 10 years and you never know when lady luck will strike. In my case, it struck twice in about three months.”
Barnett plans to invest the majority of his winnings, take a trip with his wife, and is considering a second home in the Poconos.
In recognition of the milestone win, MGM Resorts has honored Barnett with a tier upgrade in the MGM Rewards program.
