California

Gambler hits impressive jackpot on $2 slot machine, California casino says

A gambler on a slot machine at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, California, won a $105,000 jackpot.
A gambler on a slot machine at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, California, won a $105,000 jackpot. Unsplash via Nik

A gambler at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento hit a $104,436 jackpot on a progressive slot machine Saturday, casino officials reported.

The player won the jackpot on a $50 bet on a $2 “Dragon Link — Golden Century” slot machine, the casino said in a news release.

Gamblers won more than 250,000 jackpots on slot machines and electronic games at the casino in 2025, averaging 700 jackpots a day, the casino said.

“When you come off a year like 2025 and then see another six-figure jackpot hit on a Saturday night, it really says something about the consistency of winning here,” said Dawn Clayton, general manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resort. “This is not a one-time moment. This is a casino floor where guests are winning day in and day out.”

Thunder Valley Casino Resort at 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln has 3,500 slot machines and 89 table games. It is about a 35-mile drive northeast from Sacramento.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

This story was originally published February 1, 2026 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Gambler hits impressive jackpot on $2 slot machine, California casino says."

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Don Sweeney
The Sacramento Bee
916-321-1028
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 35 years. He is a service reporter based at The Sacramento Bee.
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