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Empire City Casino awards nearly $3 million win29 September 2025(PRESS RELEASE) -- A New Rochelle resident, Barnett T., hit a $2,995,532 progressive jackpot on an IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts on Thursday, 25 September 2025. The massive prize marks the largest jackpot in Empire City’s history. A longtime Empire City patron who also enjoys visiting other MGM Resorts destinations, including MGM Springfield and Park MGM Las Vegas, Barnett stopped by Empire City to reprint a W-2 form to finalize his 2024 tax return and took a seat at the Wheel of Fortune® Triple Stars®. After a few spins, the reels aligned for the life-changing top prize. Barnett now joins Empire City’s “millionaires club”, which includes Theresa P. of Ossining who previously held the record with her win of $2,919,162, Linda P. of Connecticut who won $1,514,634, Howard G. of Long Island who took home $1,473,503, and Leo of Yonkers, who secured his spot with a $1.088 million jackpot, among others. The latest win is remarkable for several reasons. A few months ago, Barnett won more than $46,000 at Empire City on another machine, mirroring fellow ‘millionaires club’ member Theresa P. who famously hit two separate million-dollar jackpots five months apart. In a quirky twist, on the day Theresa scored her second seven-figure win, Barnett had been playing that same machine earlier. In a separate development the same day as Barnett’s win, MGM Resorts received a favorable vote from the local Community Advisory Committee on its application for a commercial casino license, allowing the application to advance to state review. “The whole experience has been surreal,” said Barnett. “I actually felt more excited when I hit the $46,000 jackpot a few months ago. When this one happened, it didn’t feel real at first. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very big deal but when you’re looking at the machine, you just don’t believe it’s reality. I’ve been playing at Empire City for more than 10 years, and you never know when lady luck will strike. In my case, it struck twice in about three months. I’m grateful to the Empire City team for the warm hospitality, sincere congratulations and just the overall experience.” Barnett says he plans to invest the majority of his winnings, take a trip with his wife, and is considering a second home in the Poconos. He also plans to continue playing at Empire City and is excited about MGM Resorts’ pursuit of a full commercial casino license for Empire City, which would expand amenities with live-dealer table games, retail sports betting, new restaurants and entertainment. “Barnett made history at Empire City Casino, hitting the largest jackpot since we opened in 2006,” said Ryan Munroe, Vice President of Slot Operations at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “With one of the largest gaming floors in the country and exclusive progressive jackpots that can only be won here, Empire City delivers the kind of thrilling moments guests dream about.” In recognition of the milestone win, MGM Resorts has honored Barnett with a tier upgrade in the MGM Rewards program. |