History has been made at Casino Nanaimo.
A slots player went home $2.1 million richer after hauling the third-largest jackpot score in the history of Powerbucks slots – an International Game Technology product.
The win came on Feb.24 via the slot game “Powerbucks Wheel of Fortune Cash Link Exotic Far East.”
“This significant jackpot marks yet another example of how Powerbucks is driving omnichannel jackpot excitement and differentiating our customers’ casinos across Canada,” said David Flinn, IGT senior vice president (Canada, South and Central America), via a statement.
Biggest Powerbucks payouts in Canadian history
The windfall falls just short of the largest Powerbucks jackpot ever won.
In May 2020, a player won $2.2 million playing “Wheel of Fortune” slots through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
Prince George’s Marlyne Dumoulin was just a hair behind that at $2.1 million in 2019.
She was playing at Treasure Cove Casino when her life changed.
Lighting struck twice that year – and at the exact location to boot.
A little over a month later, Brittany Hammell cleared the million-dollar threshold ($1.06 million) playing at the same spot. (But on a different game.)
June 12, 2018, marked the first Powerbucks win ever in BC when someone playing the Arctic Gems online slots game took home $1.1 million
Powerbucks’ progressive prize pool model entices Canadians
Despite Powerbucks slots only being operational in BC since 2016, the game has become quite popular.
That popularity may be because the slot is North America’s first progressive prize pool.
So, the pot keeps growing as more players place bets across participating Canadian jurisdictions. A portion of each player’s wager is added to the jackpot until someone wins, allowing for huge payouts (as we’ve just seen).
But there is a trade-off.
The static $1 million jackpot begins at $0.50 – $2.99 wagers per spin. Meanwhile, the progressive jackpots start at $3.00 and up.
BCLC reports the odds of winning on a $3.00 wager are roughly 1 in 25 million.
Alongside BC, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI are also in on the fun.
“Since its Canadian debut with the BCLC, IGT’s industry-leading Powerbucks link has awarded more than 30 life-changing jackpots and continues to offer a distinguished variety of entertaining games and big wins throughout the country,” said Flinn.
Powerbucks omnichannel system proving key to popularity
IGT is a multinational gambling company.
It produces other gambling technology, but slot machines – especially the Powerbucks – are one of its most popular items. The technology system allows Powerbucks items to connect physical casino slots, mobile devices and desktops into a single system (omnichannel game).
Essentially, this allows jackpots to climb faster, increasing player participation and potential payouts.
IGT claims its Powerbucks slots have shelled out 33 jackpots of $1 million + since starting its operations in Canada in 2016.
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) was the first Canadian jurisdiction to offer Powerbucks slots.
Overall, Wheel of Fortune slots are the most popular slot for IGT. According to the company, since 1996, the game has produced more than 1,100 millionaires and over $3.3 billion in jackpots.
In 2020 IGT reported its global annual revenue to be $3.1 billion (USD). It has approximately 11,000 employees around the world.
