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Slot Machine Jackpot Winner Was Feeling Lucky

Photo courtesy Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Terese Moore won $2.5 million Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Tuesday night.

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By MIKE SALINERO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2008

TAMPA - The winner of the largest slot machine jackpot in Florida history said she played the machine because she "felt lucky" and plans to use some of her $2.5 million winnings to pay off her home in Land O' Lakes.

Terese Moore said she visited the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Tuesday night for a car drawing. She had already won $200 before she hit the Wheel of Fortune Mega Jackpot worth $2,551,037.

The jackpot is linked to slot machines in a progressive, Native American network of 300 casinos across the country. Every time a coin is played in a linked machine in the network, the jackpot accumulates.

"It's kind of like the jackpots are so much bigger because its got so many other people playing at the same time," said Gina Morales, spokesman for the Tampa casino.

Morales said Moore, who could not be reached, started crying when she realized the jackpot was real and not a mistake. She called her husband, who didn't believe her story until he talked to a casino employee.

Moore and her family are leaving on a previously planned vacation to Las Vegas on Friday morning, Morales said.

Moore's winnings eclipsed the previous high jackpot of $2.3 million hit on Wheel of Fortune Special Edition machine July 19 at the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek. The Seminole tribe operates seven casinos in Florida, two associated with Hard Rock.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

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