Reno mom hits $33 million Megabucks jackpot

Winner: ‘If you’re gonna win big, you have to play big and take a chance’

Published Monday, April 13, 2009 | 12:48 p.m.

Updated Monday, April 13, 2009 | 3:35 p.m.

A Reno woman is $33 million richer after hitting the second largest Megabucks jackpot in history at a Sparks casino.

The winner has been identified as 38-year-old Rachael Renee Romanick who was playing at Terrible’s Rail City casino when she hit the jackpot.

"I really owe it to my friend," Romanick said. "I wanted to stay home, but he wanted to gamble at Rail City and convinced me to join him. I said to myself, 'Why not? If you're gonna win big, you have to play big and take a chance.'"

Romanick, who has four daughters, had been playing for only about 10 minutes when she hit the jackpot and initially had no idea she won.

"I had to ask someone if this was for real," she said. "I kind of froze because this was so unexpected."

Reno-based gaming supply company International Game Technology is the maker of the Megabucks product line, which launched in 1986.

The largest jackpot ever won was $39.7 million at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in March 2003.

Discussion: 11 comments so far…

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By Rocco

April 13, 2009

4:06 p.m.

Suggest removal

oh i'm sure your" friend" will want a major cut you should of kept your mouth shut so they hit big about every 5 years watch your freinds line up at the door better move away fast
By Bodytalk555

April 13, 2009

5:44 p.m.

Suggest removal

That's Hot!! Way to go Rachael.
By Lenny_V

April 13, 2009

7:15 p.m.

Suggest removal

Take the cash or they'll kill you to stop having to make payments.
By BorisR

April 14, 2009

2 a.m.

Suggest removal

Watch out, Rachael. Now you will have more friends than you possibly ever hand in your entire life....maybe it would be a good idea to go on a world tour for 1 year or two and have it all settle down and then relocate in Las Vegas and start a life as a professional "Mega Buchs Player" :)
Congratulations from Switzerland, good job .))))
By acesbet

April 14, 2009

6:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

Congratulations as well. But do not forget well deserving individuals. "what goes around comes around". The Mega Bucks slots at the Indian Casino's are never higher than 5 million. Why is this? My wife hit a good one in Laughlin several years back. She played (3) quarters and hit $10,000. Any do not get involved with a money manager. Ace's
By teambeam

April 14, 2009

12:53 p.m.

Suggest removal

First mistake was not choosing to remain anonymous....as far as the media is concerned.
By azsk8fan

April 15, 2009

6:08 a.m.

Suggest removal

Gee - how many people working at the casino had their hands out? I'm so sick of these people expecting a tip for - what? Just for 'being'??? Hope you stiffed em good :) LOL
By Hingreed

April 15, 2009

9:49 a.m.

Suggest removal

How old are the daughters and are they single?

~Hingreed
By goingbust

April 15, 2009

10:36 a.m.

Suggest removal

Move to the south of France.

You're welcome.
By Harley

April 17, 2009

8:13 a.m.

Suggest removal

As a result of this fortunate winner local casinos have observed a significant drop in locals participating in their megabucks promotions.

Note: Amanda conveniently omitted the payment and taxation details surrounding this megabucks win.
By rubyjewel1420

July 12, 2009

11:29 a.m.

Suggest removal

I heard she was a meth head. Only had a food stamp card for ID!!! And i just heard this morning she was arrested for possesion of a kilo of meth. Rumor or is iot the curse of the Megabucks???