Good NewsU.S. Marine wins $2.9 million jackpot in Vegas, credits karma
On Sunday, Marine Corporal Alexander Degenhardt won a $2.9 million progressive slot jackpot at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
He credits his win to karma, having been accepted as a bone-marrow donor to an anonymous patient only days before.
"They asked me if I was sure I wanted to go through with it because it's kind of painful, but what's a little pain if it will save someone's life?" Degenhardt, 26, told the Las Vegas Sun. "I look at this jackpot as kind of good karma for that."
Degenhardt and some of his fellow Marines were in Las Vegas for a week of training at Nellis Air Force Base. With a few hours to kill before their return flight to Indian Head in Maryland where they're stationed, Degenhardt and a friend decided to play the Money Vault Millionaires Seven slot at the Bellagio.
Ten minutes later, he was $2,882,808.32 richer.
"I figured I'd just go lose $100 real quick," he said. "I was overwhelmed and in shock. It's something you always want to happen, but when it does happen you don't believe it."
Degenhardt will receive about $100,000 a year for 20 years, but not much will change with his new wealth: He plans on continuing his military career, he'll keep driving his car — it has 250,000 miles on it — and will go through the bone-marrow donation as planned. He will buy some new clothes — at a thrift store, where he always shops for clothes.
"Some of my best friends are in the Marine Corps, and I have signed a contract," he told FOX5 Vegas. "I got obligations to fulfill. I'm not gonna just walk away from it now, just because I have tons of money now."
Degenhardt, who admits to being "pretty thrifty," is also pretty generous. His first priority with the money is to help his mother and pregnant sister with their bills.
