The legendary Wheel of Fortune and Megabucks slot machines at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas awarded two life-changing jackpots in less than a month, showcasing the allure of Nevada’s gambling sites.
One lucky person won over a million bucks on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine on July 24. They pocketed a cool $1,286,324 while playing the “Wheel of Fortune Red Hot 7’s” game in Terminal 3. No one knows who the lucky winner is, but an airport spokesperson confirmed the big win.
But get this: that wasn’t the only big win at the airport! Just a couple weeks before that, another player struck gold, taking home a whopping $1.3 million from the Wheel of Fortune Triple Double Emeralds machine in Terminal 1.
People are buzzing about the coincidental million-dollar wins. With over 1,400 slot machines spread out everywhere, the Harry Reid International Airport has become the go-to spot for anyone feeling lucky and dreaming of hitting the jackpot, but it’s not a secret spot. Last year the airport reaped over $34 million in revenue from slot machines.
Airport Slots Typically Stingier
According to Marc Meltzer at PlayUSA, the Nevada Gaming Control Board puts out monthly reports on gaming revenue. They cover earnings from places with table games and slots.
The report provides a way for us to see where the money’s flowing from. This includes places with restricted versus unrestricted gaming licenses. And based on these, we can totally tell which parts of Nevada are raking in the most or least gaming cash, and how different games fare.
Now, the Vegas Strip? Those Las Vegas casinos typically earn more than other spots in Nevada. But one thing the report doesn’t do? It doesn’t pinpoint exact locations. So, if you’re looking for exact revenue from specific casinos or bars, that’s a no-go.
And there’s this interesting bit about the slot machines at Harry Reid International Airport. They don’t tell us exactly how much they make, but the word around town is that they hold more cash than any other spot in Nevada. And those slots are rumored to be a bit stingier with payouts than the ones in the local casinos and bars.”
Why Play Airport Slots?
Meltzer also points out some of the reasons why people seem drawn to airport slot machines in Las Vegas, even if these machines are known to keep more cash.
First off, there’s the sheer convenience of it. Got some time to kill before your flight? Why not drop a couple of dollars into a slot machine right there at the gate? For some, the experience itself has its own charm. It’s a unique tale to tell—playing slots in one of the few airports worldwide where you can gamble.
To be fair, playing at the airport isn’t much different from sticking to the Vegas Strip slots. Sure, you might find spots elsewhere that take a little less, but the vibe’s different. It’s kind of like the choice between Vegas and Reno for slots. Sure, Reno casinos might be a touch lighter on your pocket, but the allure of Vegas? That’s hard to resist.
Typically, those trying their luck at the airport are often waiting for their flight, hoping for that one final jackpot before waving goodbye to the City of Lights.
Not the Only Big Slot Machine Win
And by the way, the Wheel of Fortune wasn’t the sole slot machine lighting up Las Vegas in July.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, a local named Jesus hit the jackpot, winning an impressive $10,488,726 on the Megabucks slot at the Cannery Casino in North Las Vegas. This monumental win took place on July 7 and was later verified by a representative from Boyd Gaming.
July was a hot month to be in Vegas.
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