Truck driver hits $1.29M jackpot at Cherokee Casino Roland

A Floridian truck driver named Wayne is $1.29 million richer after hitting a large jackpot during a stop at Cherokee Hotel & Casino Roland while on his route on Jan. 20. Wayne won the jackpot with a $3 bet on Aristocrat Gaming™’s Buffalo Grand™ progressive slot game.

“When it hit, I thought it was an error. I was completely stunned,” said the 71-year-old. “I flagged down an employee to help, and they couldn’t believe it either.”

“This is the largest jackpot Aristocrat has paid out in Oklahoma, and we’re thrilled to be a part of this lifechanging moment for the winner,” said James Starr, president of VGT, an Aristocrat company. “It’s an incredible way to celebrate our longstanding partnership with Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland.”

The jackpot also marks one of the largest in the casino resort’s history.

“We’re so excited for this guest and offer our congratulations on kicking off the new year with a huge win,” said Chad McReynolds, general manager of Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland. “This is what makes our casino stand out from the rest. These types of memorable experiences make our team’s job of creating a fun, friendly and comfortable environment so easy to do.”

As the latest in a long line of jackpot winners, Wayne is now one of the newest members of the OneStar Rewards Club, which allows guests to earn and redeem rewards at each of Cherokee Nation Entertainment’s 10 casino locations.

“My wife asked me if I was going to buy a new pickup with the money. I told her I’d rather just sit back and watch her spend it,” he said. “I’m grateful for the hospitality that Cherokee Casino showed me from the second I walked in the door. This experience definitely made history in my book.”

Cherokee Casino & Hotel Roland and the Cherokee Travel Plaza and Gaming Center are located on Cherokee Boulevard, just off the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 64. For more information, visit www. cherokeecasino.com and click on the Roland tab or call 800-256-2338.