California

Gambler collects a ‘life-changing’ jackpot on $5 bet at Sacramento-area casino

The player won the jackpot on a $5 bet on a “Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous” slot machine.
The player won the jackpot on a $5 bet on a “Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous” slot machine. Christopher Ryan Unsplash

A gambler at Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento hit a $136,159 jackpot on a progressive slot machine Saturday, casino officials reported.

The player won the jackpot on a $5 bet on a “Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous” slot machine, the casino said in a Facebook post.

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 in an earlier news release.

“You hit the jackpot! $136,159 is life changing,” read one comment on the post.

“Go girl,” read another.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort, at 1200 Athens Ave. in Lincoln, has 3,500 slot machines and 89 table games. It is about 20 miles northeast of 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 2, 2026 at 2:11 PM with the headline "Gambler collects a ‘life-changing’ jackpot on $5 bet at Sacramento-area casino."

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DS
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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