In an astonishing turn of events, a modest $3 wager blossomed into a life-changing fortune for a Nevada player, who struck gold on a “Wheel of Fortune” slot machine this past Friday. The lucky gambler walked away with an eye-popping jackpot of over a million dollars.

“A huge congratulations to one of our local guests for hitting an extraordinary $1,048,675.87 jackpot on IGT’s Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Big Money at Sunset Station last night!” announced the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino on their Facebook page.

The casino’s announcement, shared on Saturday, quickly became a hot topic online, drawing a flood of congratulatory messages from both fans and fellow casino enthusiasts. The excitement was palpable as the post featured an image of the winning slot machine, proudly displaying the grand prize amount of $1,048,675.87.

In addition to the colossal win, the machine’s display also teased other potential prize amounts, including a lucrative payout just over $10,100 and another nearing $1,200. This incredible win serves as a vivid reminder of the thrilling possibilities that games of chance can offer.

Other potential payouts listed included one just over $10,100 and another for nearly $1,200.

The “Wheel of Fortune” Cash Link Big Money machine is a progressive slot, meaning the prize pool grows each time a player wagers, often across multiple linked machines in different locations.

Sunset Station told FOX Business the winner is a Las Vegas resident.

The casino sits in Henderson, a suburb about 13 miles southeast of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The property caters largely to locals seeking the same gaming excitement as the Strip without the crowds and parking headaches.

International Game Technology (IGT), the maker of the machine, told FOX Business that its “Wheel of Fortune” Slots have awarded million-dollar jackpots to more than 1,200 players and have paid out over $3.5 billion in prizes.

Introduced in the mid-1990s, “Wheel of Fortune” slots have become one of the most recognizable and profitable slot brands in casino history, blending the thrill of the TV game show with the promise of life-changing jackpots.

As for how the winner will receive the payout, IGT said players can choose between a discounted lump-sum payment or installments through a multi-year annuity.

The lump-sum option provides immediate access to the winnings, while the annuity spreads payments out over time — a decision that often depends on financial planning and tax considerations.

According to IGT, a Wheel of Fortune jackpot of $100,000 or more hits every 72 hours.

Friday’s win adds to a string of high-profile jackpots in Nevada this year, where lucky spins continue to turn small bets into extraordinary paydays.