A guest patron at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel had a dramatic life change Thursday when he won the biggest jackpot the casino has ever awarded – a figure close to $2.5 million.

Georgia Griffey, operations manager for the casino, said the big winner wished to remain anonymous, but added his big payout came from one of Wind Creek’s electronic bingo machines with ties to other casinos around the country.

“A patron playing the Million Degrees machine won $2,374,781.54,” Griffey said. “It is a machine that is tied in to other casinos, including Las Vegas.”

The Million Degrees electronic bingo machine is made by Bally Technologies, one of the leading manufacturers in the gaming industry.

The Million Degrees machine is the first million-dollar wide-area progressive game. A wide-area progressive machine involves multiple electronically-linked gaming machines offering large payouts that grow progressively larger as each game is played.

Griffey said the usual check presentation would not be held in this case unless the winner changed his mind about remaining anonymous.

“We are extremely happy and excited for our big winner,” said Arthur Mothershed, General Manager of Wind Creek.   “This is indeed a life changing event, and is by far the biggest jackpot won at Wind Creek to date.  This is just one more example of ‘Winning Happening’ at Wind Creek.  Congratulations, and welcome to the Millionaire Club!”