Chandler veteran wins $1 million at slot machine at Gila River casino

CHANDLER, AZ (AZFamily) — A Chandler veteran became the Valley’s newest millionaire thanks to his wife suggesting going to the casino a day earlier than they usually do.

A man only identified as Michael H. won $1,033,590 on a Wheel of Fortune® slot machine at around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Santan Mountain, officials announced. They said he and his wife Betty go to the casino often.

They typically visit on Sundays, but this time Betty suggested they go a day early. “I’m glad I listened to my wife,” said Michael. “We didn’t plan on visiting the casino (Saturday), but we did and now we’re leaving big winners.”

The couple also had originally planned to go to Rocky Point for the weekend but their dog sitter canceled last minute.

Michael and Betty say they plan to use the money to buy a new home and spend more time visiting their grandchildren who live outside Arizona.

Michael is an Army veteran and a retired American Airlines employee who currently drives a shuttle bus for an independent living community. He often drives residents to Santan Mountain casino on Gilbert Road near Hunt Highway.

The casino says Michael’s jackpot was the fourth million-dollar jackpot award at one of Gila River’s four casinos. “We couldn’t be happier for Michael and Betty,” Michael West, general manager of Santan Mountain, said in a written statement. “Their story is a perfect example of the kind of connection we strive to create with every guest.”

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