A South Los Angeles medical student who lives in a 500-square-foot converted garage near Vernon, California, is going from the garage to the penthouse after winning a $2.2 million home from Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California.
The three-month casino promotion came down to Anahy M. and two other finalists selecting keys to the door to a new luxury home. Anahy picked key number one and stood behind the middle door on the final stage.
Ty Pennington, the event’s host and emcee, told the contestants to “open that door!” A few seconds later, Anahy’s key unlocked the door, and she walked through to her new home.
Anahy, her 7-year-old daughter and extended family, toured her new home in Orange County the next morning.
She told her boyfriend, Erick, during the walk through they would not be washing clothes at the laundromat anymore.
“I moved to L.A. from Perris, California, to go to school in 2024, but rents are so expensive all over Los Angeles,” Anahy said in a statement. “We moved into my parents’ garage, not thinking life was going to lead me here. My dream has always been to give my daughter a better future.”
The couple made significant renovations to the garage where they’ve lived for two years while she attended school to become an ultrasound technician. Anahy graduates in August.
“I had dreams about the contest and about this house for weeks before this, only in some of them, I picked the wrong door,” Anahy said. “For years, I’ve been working hard and dreaming about giving my daughter her dream home.”
Anahy told Pechanga Resort Casino staff who toured the home with her that she can’t wait to use the kitchen and start cooking for her daughter and extended family. She and her family have been coming to Pechanga Resort Casino for many years for staycations. She said luck has been with her nearly every visit, even winning $10,000 in 2026.
“There’s nothing quite like watching someone’s life change in a single moment,” said Pechanga Development Corporation President Sean Vasquez. “On Saturday, that moment belonged to Anahy and her family, and the joy in that room is exactly why we created Home Sweet Win. Congratulations to them on their beautiful new home. We couldn’t be happier, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”
The other finalists took home $50,000 cash each.
Guests can expect Home Sweet Win to return in 2027.
Alongside the 2026 Home Sweet Win home giveaway, Pechanga gave nearly $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to continue their rebuilding efforts after 2025’s devastating wildfires. Pechanga also provided $50,000 to Habitat LA after the 2025 Home Sweet Win home giveaway.
