A Stockton resident walked away from a 10-cent slot machine with a $140,950 progressive jackpot after placing a $5 bet on September 29, according to casino officials. The win happened on a Dragon Link Golden Century machine at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, the Wheatland gaming resort located about 35 miles north of downtown Sacramento.
The jackpot was first reported by The Sacramento Bee, which detailed how the gambler's modest wager on the 10-cent slot ballooned into a six-figure payday. Mark Birtha, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, said the jackpot could be impactful and life-changing for the winner, echoing similar remarks he made after a previous blockbuster win at the property.
The Dragon Link franchise, created by Aristocrat Gaming in 2017, is popular and available at casinos, with themes including Golden Century, a Hold & Spin bonus mechanic and multi-tier progressive jackpots, according to Casinos.com.
A Pattern of Big Wins at the Wheatland Resort
This is not the first time a Dragon Link machine at the Wheatland casino has produced a headline-grabbing payout. Hoodline previously reported that a player from Yuba hit a $116,665 progressive jackpot on a Dragon Link Happy & Prosperous machine after placing a $12.50 bet.
The 60,000-square-foot casino floor at Hard Rock Sacramento holds more than 1,600 slot machines and table games, per 500 Nations. The resort opened in October 2019 as a $440 million project owned by the Estom Yumeka Maidu Tribe of Enterprise Rancheria. Tribal leaders have outlined a multi-phase expansion through 2028 to add an open-air retail promenade, dining spaces, and sports facilities.
What the Winner Owes in Taxes
Six-figure jackpots come with paperwork. As of 2026, the federal IRS Form W-2G reporting threshold for slot payouts sits at $2,000, up from $1,200, according to BoomTax. Regular federal withholding of 24% does not apply to slot-machine winnings; the $5,000 threshold applies to specified types of wagering, though backup withholding may apply in some circumstances.
Gambling Help Resources
Gambling Help Resources The Sacramento Bee noted that gambling addiction can ruin lives and families, even amid celebratory wins. People showing signs of gambling addiction can seek help by calling the National Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
