Lucky Texan Wins $6.1 Million Wheel of Fortune Slot Jackpot at Horseshoe Casino

BOSSIER CITY, Louisiana - (PRESS RELEASE) -- While on a visit to his favorite gaming destination in the area, the Horseshoe Casino, a 54-year-old Bedford, TX man hit one of the largest slot jackpots
Horseshoe Bossier City 
Wheel of Fortune Slots  in state history, nearly $6.1 million, while playing a popular $1 Wheel of Fortune® machine late Thursday evening.

Randy Ray Bell, a maintenance supervisor, said he had wagered only $61 before hitting the huge MegaJackpots® statewide progressive grand prize -- the first this year.

"I'm in total shock!" he admitted after IGT technicians and Louisiana State police verified the win early this morning.

Bell said he chose to play the Wheel of Fortune® machine because he has had luck playing the system in the past.

"These machines have always treated me well, and just before I hit this jackpot I was thinking that it was time to win the big one," he said with excitement. "I never play anywhere else but the Horseshoe, and it certainly paid off tonight."

As for his future plans, Bell said he is going to retire, take care of his family, and take his dream trip to Alaska, a place he's always wanted to visit.

"I'll never have to worry about my retirement years again," Bell said.

The Wheel of Fortune® progressive slot machine is based on the popular television game show, "Wheel of Fortune®." Wheel of Fortune® is one of 16 Louisiana MegaJackpots® systems operated by IGT, the Reno-based manufacturer of gaming machines. All IGT MegaJackpots® awards are paid in annual installments upon verification, except MegaJackpots® Instant Winners(TM) jackpots and Rapid Riches MegaJackpots® awards, which are paid in their entirety upon verification. Wheel of Fortune® is a registered trademark of Califon Production Inc. For more information on IGT, visit the company web site at /pass/links/?linkId=1&curId=464www.IGT.com.