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Player wins ‘extraordinary’ $1.1 million Pai Gow jackpot at Sacramento-area casino

A gambler at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln near Sacramento won a $1.1 million jackpot playing “Face-Up Pai Gow Poker,” casino officials reported.

The out-of-state visitor won $1,131,400 Wednesday, July 15, the casino said in a news release.

“I’m going to buy a new garage door,” the winner, who visited the casino with his wife, told casino officials.

“We couldn’t be happier for him and his wife,” said United Auburn Indian Community Chairman John L. Williams. “They’ve been part of the Thunder Valley family for many years, which makes this milestone even more meaningful. We’re thrilled to celebrate our first $1 million table games winner, but what I’ll remember most is how humble they are. You couldn’t ask for better people to make Thunder Valley history.”

“Everyone was cheering for them,” Dawn Clayton, casino general manager, said.

Thunder Valley has paid out more than 251,000 jackpots over the past year, averaging nearly 700 jackpots per day, or roughly one every two minutes.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort at 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln has 3,500 slot machines and 89 table games. It is about 35 miles northeast of 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.

DS
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.
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