THE WINNING LINEUP
Million-dollar moments, high-octane slots & big wins coast to coast
By Sean Chaffin
From new millionaires at Choctaw to a $3.1 million jackpot in California and a thrilling racing-themed slot debut, this month’s “Spinning Reels” is packed with lucky streaks, exciting innovations and behind-the-scenes insights into the world of slot gaming.
Choctaw Casino named the first millionaire of the summer on June 8 as part of the 2025 edition of “3 Months. 3 Millionaires” promotion. Fuong H. from Garland, TX, became the first of three lucky Choctaw Rewards Club members to score seven figures at the property in Durant, OK.
“I’m still excited,” she said after the win. “I never thought I would win tonight. My name was called; I stood up from my table and said, ‘That’s my name!’”
Just a week earlier, Fuong retired from the jewelry company she’d been working at for 33 years. She plans to spend her money on her three children and six grandchildren, and do some investing as well. The Choctaw is also taking the excitement of “3 Months. 3 Millionaires.” to the winner’s hometown and will make a $10,000 donation to a local nonprofit organization in the Garland area. The property will work with the winner to make the donation directly to the charity on the winner’s behalf. The second $1 million drawing took place July 5.
“Making someone a millionaire is life changing, and the fact that we’ve been able to do that for our Choctaw Rewards Club members three summers in a row is incredible,” Choctaw Senior Director Of Gaming and Hospitality Jeff Penz said.
Along with the Durant promotion, the Choctaw Casino in Pocola is giving away $1 million this summer, including three $100,000 grand prize drawings. On Saturdays through August, the property is giving away $10,000 every two hours from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Following the $10,000 drawings on July 26 and Aug. 30, drawings of $100,000 will also be held. To win, guests must be present and earn entries through their Choctaw Rewards Club card and the promotion also applies to table games on Sundays.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to elevate the guest and player experience at Choctaw Casino & Resort – Pocola and giving our loyal Rewards Club members three chances to win $100,000 this summer felt like the perfect way to do that,” Choctaw Pocola Regional Marketing Director Britta Erickson said.
Slot Techs Remain in Demand
Considering a career change? Repairing slot machines may be a nice option. The industry has exploded over the last decade and despite the trend toward AI (artificial intelligence), real-life slot machine repair technicians are needed to make sure those onearmed bandits are functioning properly and also staying in compliance with gaming regulations. No robot or AI can necessarily make that happen.
“A lot of times with artificial intelligence, it’s an instant answer, and there might be some follow-up,” Barry Driskill, owner of Klar Slot Machine Repairs and a 25-year veteran of the industry, recently told KLAS. “As far as continuing down that process, that’s where a lot of the time is spent, and you have to have a lot of patience.”
However, that job has become more difficult as slot developers make increasingly complex games. Technicians usually need to be certified and licensed, and a day of maintenance and repair can include working on circuitry, gaming logic and a slot’s mechanical workings.
“It’s a very physical job being in the repair industry,” Driskill said. “You have to do a lot of moving parts, you need a lot of experience thinking outside the box, and you need innovative thinking to do the repairs. The human connection is thinking outside of the box. It’s the pros and cons of what you are trying to do with it, and understand how it works. A lot of times it’s just dumb luck.”
Pennsylvania Senate Advances Bill to Reduce Casino Slot Minimums
Pennsylvania Sen. Daniel Laughlin’s (R) revised legislation to lower the required number of slot machines at Category 1 and 2 casinos has cleared the Senate and is now awaiting consideration in the House. Senate Bill 840 proposes reducing the minimum from 1,500 to 1,000 machines and is one step away from reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.
Laughlin, who represents Erie County, said the measure is a response to growing competition from neighboring states and online gaming platforms. “Facilities like Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie are facing growing competition. Reducing the slot machine requirement gives these businesses the flexibility to adapt while preserving jobs and tax revenue,” he said.
Presque Isle Downs, located in Laughlin’s district, was fined $50,000 earlier this year for operating below the 1,500-machine threshold. Its general manager has voiced concerns about long-term viability amid rising competition from untaxed skill games across the state.
The legislation includes provisions to limit how much a facility can reduce its machines, allowing the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to deny requests that would reduce a facility’s total machine count by more than 2 percent. SB 840 maintains a hard floor of 1,000 machines for Category 1 and 2 casinos and 250 for Category 3 properties.
Laughlin called the bill a “commonsense reform” designed to support the state’s gaming industry through greater flexibility and modernization.
SLOT REELS TO CHECKERED FLAG
Players on the new Running Rich Grand Prix slot machine may want to buckle up. The new game from Competition Interactive blends video game racing with the slot experience. Think Mario Kart meets Huff N’ Puff. The game offers players a complete immersive experience mixing in some behind-the-wheel racing action with more traditional video slot play. The games recently debuted at Santa Fe Station and Palace Station in Las Vegas.
Running Rich Grand Prix allows players to hit the gas in racing bonus rounds and speed demons can pick up power-ups like they might find in traditional video games. The game blends the move toward skill-based gaming and traditional spinning reels. Fans of mobile gaming might be interested in this type of slot gaming option as well.
“We’re proud to bring Running Rich GRAND PRIX to the Station Casinos family,” Competition Interactive Founder and Chief Creative Officer Keith Winters recently told KKLZ. “This rollout marks a major step in our mission to redefine the casino experience with interactive gameplay that resonates with a new generation of players.”
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and senior writer for Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazines. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions or email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net for story assignments.
