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August was a great month for British Columbians who tried their luck on slot machines.
After Kelowna resident Joshua Alexander won over $1 million on a Powerbucks progressive slot machine earlier in the month, Shelley Araki did the same at Elements Casino in Surrey on Aug. 20.
Unlike Alexander, who was just 20 minutes into his night when the life-changing win happened, Araki was about to end her night and head home when she won big on her final few spins.
Originally, she thought she had won $100, but the numbers kept climbing and she left the casino $1,157,664.03 richer.
“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 Surrey resident had a dream, years ago, that she won the lottery, so her reaction to becoming an overnight millionaire through a big win at the casino is not surprising.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s life changing,” she noted. “I’ve worked hard my whole life and now I don’t have to worry.”
Retirement is just two years away for Araki, so the timing of this win is perfect.
She hopes to spend more time with her family and use her windfall to contribute to a bright future for her grandchildren.