The new year is already the best ever for one lucky gambler who won more than $1.3 million at a casino in Atlantic City over the weekend.
The newly minted millionaire hit a jackpot of $1,349,213.94 off a $7.50 bet at Golden Nugget Atlantic City on Saturday, Jan. 13.
Bonnie Nikituk, of Deptford, New Jersey, was playing a Willy Wonka-themed multi-denomination progressive slot machine. She was in AC to participate in a VIP slot tournament at Golden Nugget and have dinner with friends. In a press release from the casino, Nikituk noted the date was her late father’s birthday.
“He sent me a whole lot of pennies from Heaven,” she says.
Huge jackpots at Atlantic City casinos
In 2023, Atlantic City casinos awarded four jackpots of $1 million or more, according to the Division of Gaming Enforcement. Million-dollar jackpots were paid out at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City (Feb. 5), Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (May 19), Caesars Atlantic City (Aug. 8) and Resorts Casino Hotel (Aug. 30) last year.
According to data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Golden Nugget AC can lay claim to paying out the first jackpot of $1 million or more in 2024.
“This is an incredible way to begin the New Year here at Golden Nugget Atlantic City,” Tom Pohlman, executive vice president and general manager of Golden Nugget Atlantic City, said in the release. “We are thrilled for our lucky customer and look forward to celebrating more winnings in 2024.”
It was the first $1 million jackpot at the Marina District casino since 2022, when an NJ man won $2.8 million on a $6 bet playing Penny Monopoly Money Grab.
NJ online casinos paying out big money
Internet gamblers fared a bit better in 2023. Based on DGE data, there were 12 jackpots of $1 million or more won playing NJ online casinos. The largest jackpot won last year — a $3 million win on Oct. 16 — was awarded to someone playing on Borgata Online Casino.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since it was originally posted on Jan. 16, 2024. A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the last $1 million or more jackpot won at Golden Nugget Atlantic City.