comscore Woman, 81, wins nearly $12M in Reno Megabucks jackpot | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Woman, 81, wins nearly $12M in Reno Megabucks jackpot

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RENO, Nev. >> Reno casino officials say an 81-year-old woman who stopped by for lunch with her nephew ended up leaving as a multimillionaire.

Officials at the Bonanza Casino say Helena Stencel hit an $11.8 million jackpot on a Megabucks machine shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. The casino says she had played a little more than $100 when she won.

Stencel had recently moved to Reno from Yreka, Calif., to be closer to her family. She told casino officials she still hasn’t decided what she’ll do with her new winnings.

The jackpot is the largest in the history of the Bonanza casino. The previous high was $1.8 million.

Slot manufacturer IGT says Stencel was playing on a machine that’s part of Nevada’s progressive slot system.

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