A traveler identified only as “Anthony” won more than $3.3 million at Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada while waiting for a connecting flight, according to a statement from airport officials and game manufacturer International Game Technology. The win came from a Wheel of Fortune slot machine, and Anthony placed just a $10 bet before hitting the jackpot, per the same statement.
Airport officials responded to the win with a light remark, saying, “Now that’s one way to spend a layover.” The statement did not include further details about when exactly the win took place or where Anthony was traveling to or from.
Anthony’s windfall comes with a significant tax consideration at the federal level. According to the Internal Revenue Service, federal law requires a 24 percent withholding on prizes worth $5,000 or more. However, People points out that Nevada does not tax personal income or gambling winnings, meaning Anthony will not owe any state taxes on the prize.
Other big airport slot machine wins have been recorded at Harry Reid International in recent years
Anthony’s win is not the first time a traveler has walked away from Harry Reid International Airport with a life-changing payout. In May 2025, another traveler, who was not publicly identified, won more than $1.8 million on just a $5 bet while playing a Wheel of Fortune slot machine in the D Gates, according to Fox News.
Before that, a woman named Brittany, described as being from Texas, won $643,435 at the same airport. “Congrats to Brittany, from Texas, who raked in $643,435.00 playing Wheel of Fortune in the A Gates,” the airport said in a statement posted to social media alongside a photo of Brittany posing in front of the slot machines. That win came approximately two years before Anthony’s, based on the timeline described in airport officials’ statements.
All three wins were tied to the same game, the Wheel of Fortune slot machine, which appears to be a recurring fixture at Harry Reid International Airport. The airport has not publicly disclosed how many of these machines are currently in operation or where all of them are located within the terminals. Stories of players winning big on small bets have become increasingly common across various games of chance in recent years.
Harry Reid International Airport, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the few major airports in the United States where travelers can legally play slot machines while waiting for their flights. Nevada’s gambling regulations permit casino-style gaming in a variety of non-traditional settings, including airports, which are operated under the state’s gaming licensing framework.
It is not uncommon for airports in Nevada to feature slot machines in their terminals, given the state’s broader gaming culture. However, multi-million-dollar jackpots of the scale Anthony reportedly won are relatively rare occurrences, even by Las Vegas standards, based on the wins publicly highlighted by airport officials. Not every large prize claim goes smoothly either, some winners have faced disputes over jackpot amounts after technical issues complicated their payouts.
Published: Jul 3, 2026 11:03 am