Shelley Araki was getting ready to end her night at Elements Casino Surrey when her last few spins on a Powerbucks™ slot machine landed her the $1,157,664.03 jackpot on August 20, 2022.
Happily believing she had won $100, the Surrey resident felt like something was wrong when the numbers kept climbing on the Powerbucks progressive slot machine.
“I looked up and saw it had hit the jackpot,” Araki said. “I didn’t believe it at first. I kept thinking, ‘Really? Is this happening to me?’”
The game is one of four Powerbucks™-linked slot machines in Elements Casino Surrey offering players the chance to trigger bonuses and win cash or even the progressive jackpot, which starts at $1-million and grows as players place bets across participating B.C. and Canadian casinos.
Years ago, Araki had a dream that she was the lucky winner of a lottery. When asked how it feels to become a winner for real, Araki said, “It’s a dream come true. It’s life changing. I’ve worked hard my whole life and now I don’t have to worry.”
With her retirement two years away, the timing is perfect for Araki, who hopes to spend more time with family and contribute to a bright future for her grandchildren with the funds.
The odds of winning the Powerbucks™ jackpot on a $3 wager are approximately 1 in 25 million. Created by International Game Technology (IGT), BCLC was the first Canadian gambling entertainment company to offer Powerbucks™ to its players.
Elements Casino Surrey GameSense Advisor Player Supports
Did you know that Elements Casino Surrey – and every casino and community gaming centre in B.C. – has a BCLC GameSense Advisor available to help players keep gambling fun? GameSense Advisors provide education, support and referral services to players to help facilitate healthy approaches to gambling.