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$3 Wager Wins $7 Million Slot Jackpot5 April 2005GULFPORT, Mississippi – (PRESS RELEASE) -- A $3 wager on a Megabucks(R) $1 slot machine rewarded a 56-year-old oil field rig consultant from Picayune, MS with a huge $7,161,267 statewide progressive jackpot at the Grand Casino Gulfport Monday evening. John T. Madison, who had wagered $27 in total -- taking only nine pulls on the Megabucks(R) slot machine handle -- announced his retirement immediately after Mississippi Gaming Commission officials and IGT technicians verified him as the state's newest MegaJackpots(R) winner. "When the three Megabucks(R) symbols lined up, I felt instant euphoria," Madison explained jubilantly. "I yelled out for my wife because I couldn't believe it!" Madison said he always plays the Megabucks(R) progressive slot system when he visits casinos and has patronized the brand for more than 10 years. His dedication paid off at the Grand Casino Gulfport, which he said he chose to visit for the great food and friendly staff. "I will be debt-free by Friday, and the only thing I'll owe is favors -- not money," Madison added tongue-in-cheek. This is the fifth MegaJackpots(R) grand prize awarded in Mississippi in 2005, bringing the state's total prize winnings to nearly $11 million this year. Various players won more than $31 million in MegaJackpots(R) prizes on numerous IGT progressive gaming systems in the state in 2004. The Megabucks(R) jackpot is paid when a player plays the maximum bet ($3.00) and lines up all three winning symbols on the appropriate pay line. After the jackpot is verified, the Megabucks(R) meter is reset at $1,000,000. The Megabucks(R) $1 slot machine is one of 20 Mississippi MegaJackpots(R) systems operated by IGT. All IGT MegaJackpots(R) awards are paid in annual installments upon verification, except MegaJackpots(R) Instant Winners(R) jackpots and Rapid Riches MegaJackpots(R) awards, which are paid in their entirety upon verification. |