YONKERS, NY (September 29, 2025) — A New Rochelle resident, Barnett T., won a record-breaking $2.995 million progressive jackpot on an IGT Wheel of Fortune® Triple Stars® slot machine at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts on Thursday, September 25, 2025. The massive prize marks the largest jackpot in the casino’s history, surpassing the previous record of $2,919,162 set by Theresa P. of Ossining.
Barnett, a longtime patron of Empire City and other MGM Resorts properties like MGM Springfield and Park MGM Las Vegas, visited the casino to reprint a W-2 form for his 2024 tax return. After sitting down at the Wheel of Fortune® Triple Stars® machine, a few spins led to the life-changing win.
“The whole experience has been surreal,” Barnett said. “I actually felt more excited when I hit the $46,000 jackpot a few months ago. When this one happened, it didn’t feel real at first. Don’t get me wrong, it is a very big deal but when you’re looking at the machine, you just don’t believe it’s reality.”
This isn’t Barnett’s first big win at Empire City. Just months earlier, he won over $46,000 on another machine, echoing the streak of fellow “millionaires club” member Theresa P., who hit two million-dollar jackpots five months apart. In an unusual coincidence, Barnett had been playing the same machine earlier on the day Theresa won her second seven-figure prize.
Barnett’s win adds him to Empire City’s “millionaires club,” which includes Theresa P., Linda P. of Connecticut with a $1,514,634 win, Howard G. of Long Island with $1,473,503, and Leo of Yonkers with a $1.088 million jackpot.
“Barnett made history at Empire City Casino, hitting the largest jackpot since we opened in 2006,” said Ryan Munroe, Vice President of Slot Operations at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts. “With one of the largest gaming floors in the country and exclusive progressive jackpots that can only be won here, Empire City delivers the kind of thrilling moments guests dream about.”
On the same day as Barnett’s win, MGM Resorts received a favorable vote from the local Community Advisory Committee for its application for a commercial casino license, advancing the proposal to state review. If approved, the license would allow Empire City to expand with live-dealer table games, retail sports betting, new restaurants, and entertainment options.
Barnett plans to invest most of his winnings, take a trip with his wife, and consider purchasing a second home in the Poconos. He also intends to continue playing at Empire City and supports MGM Resorts’ pursuit of a full commercial casino license.
In recognition of his milestone win, MGM Resorts upgraded Barnett’s tier in the MGM Rewards program. Empire City Casino operates daily from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. For more information, visit www.empirecitycasino.com.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.