Courtesy Planet Hollywood
Dorothy Reynolds, holding check, poses at Planet Hollywood with, from left, daughter Jill Crosswhite, son-in-law Gary Crosswhite and her husband, Don Reynolds, after hitting a $2.9 million jackpot on a penny slot machine.
Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010 | 7:52 p.m.
Map of Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino
A California woman got an early Christmas present this week when she hit a $2.9 million jackpot on a penny slot machine at Planet Hollywood.
Dorothy Reynolds of Fallbrook, Calif., had been playing about three hours and put $500 into the Wizard of Oz machine on Tuesday when she hit the jackpot, the casino said in announcing the win.
Reynolds travels to Las Vegas twice a year with her husband, Don. On this weeklong trip, she was also joined by her daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Gary Crosswhite, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Reynolds has always been a fan of slot machines and jokingly said that her win on the Wizard of Oz machine and her name, Dorothy, “must have been meant to be.”
She plans to spend the holidays at home with her two daughters and nine grandchildren who, she said, “may be surprised at this year’s Christmas presents.”
Reynolds received the first of her earnings Thursday morning with a check for $147,000 and celebrated her win by continuing to play the slot machines with her daughter.
Once she is back home, Reynolds will decide whether to take the rest of her $2,948,494.50 winnings in one lump sum or in payments over the next 10 to 20 years.
“This is not only a place where million dollar motion pictures are filmed, it’s a place where millionaires are made,” said David Hoenemeyer, the casino’s general manager. “We are always thrilled to see our casino guests’ dreams come true.”
Catering to the young and modern crowd, Planet Hollywood is a one-stop shop for entertainment with its massive shopping mall, slew of restaurants, spacious casino and clubs.
The ambiance of the casino is retro-chic meets high-tech with black granite floors throughout and colorful LED lights throughout the space. The theme carries into the 100,000 square-foot casino with 250 flat screens topping off slot machines. The casino is also home to 87 tables, a sports book and a poker room.
There's also the Miracle Mile Shops, one Vegas' largest malls, with 140 stores including BCBG Max Azaria, bebe, Urban Outfitters and The Discovery Channel Store.
Following an afternoon of shopping, guests can satisfy their appetites at one of the gourmet restaurants in Planet Hollywood, like the non-traditional approach to steakhouses at Strip House or check out the exotic Far East motif at KOI restaurant and lounge. And if guests are still looking for more, they can spend the after hours at Privé, Triq or Krave nightclubs.
Perhaps one of the resorts biggest attractions came in March with the addition of "Peepshow." The naughty twist on the story of Little Bo Peep is modern-day spin on the run-of-the-mill Vegas topless review. The "Peepshow" stage has seen visiting celebs like Scary Spice Mel B, "Dancing with the Stars" Kelly Monaco and Playboy's Holly Madison.
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