California

$59 bet on 1-cent slot machine pays off with win at Sacramento-area casino

By Don Sweeney

Updated April 23, 2026 9:44 AM

A bet on a 1-cent slot machine paid off handsomely for a visitor at Red Hawk Casino in Northern California, casino officials said.

The player won a progressive $77,967 jackpot on a Dollar Storm slot machine.

“What’s the first thing you’d do with a win like this??” the casino asked.

“Fantastic,” read a comment on the Facebook post.

Red Hawk Casino, at 1 Red Hawk Parkway in Placerville, is about a 40-mile drive east from downtown Sacramento.

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.

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 9:28 AM.

Don Sweeney

The Sacramento Bee

Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.