Wheel of Fortune Sets Game Show Record, as Player Wins More Than $1 Million
Posted on: October 1, 2025, 10:46h.
Last updated on: October 1, 2025, 11:26h.
- A “Wheel of Fortune” record was set this week after a woman won more than $1 million
- “Wheel of Fortune” slot machines are among the most popular casino games
A woman from Connecticut spun her way into television game show history on Wednesday by winning more than $1 million on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Contestant Christina Derevjanik, of Stamford, Conn., secured the “One Million Dollars” wedge early in the show. She moved on to the Bonus Round, with the $1 million wedge in hand, after she earned $35,155 in cash and trips to Montana and Japan by answering several puzzles correctly.
The $1 million prize, introduced in 2008, replaces the $100K envelope on the smaller Bonus Round wheel. To win it, the contestant must spin the wheel and land on that envelope out of 24 possible envelopes, and then correctly answer the final puzzle.
After choosing “Living Things” as the category and picking R, S, T, L, N, and E as her initial letters, followed by M, C, F, A, Derevjanik quickly answered, “Pack of Coyotes.” Host Ryan Seacrest then unveiled that she had won $1 million, bringing her show earnings to $1,035,155 — a record haul for the game.
You’re my first million-dollar winner,” Seacrest said, who took over the hosting role from Pat Sajak in September 2024.
It wasn’t made known whether Derevjanik chose the full $1 million paid out over 20 years in $50K installments or a one-time lump sum of approximately $660K. Both options are before federal and state taxes.
Derevjanik, who works in marketing at Con Edison, says she plans to use some of her winnings to purchase a house and move out of her one-bedroom apartment.
Wheel Slots Regularly Pay Big
“Wheel of Fortune” is among the most popular slot machines in casinos across the country. Manufactured by IGT, the terminals are famed for delivering life-changing wins.
On Jan. 28, 2014, a slots player playing a “Wheel of Fortune” game won a more than $4.5 million progressive jackpot. More recently, a gambler this week at Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts won a progressive jackpot worth $2,995,532. The New York resident was playing “Wheel of Fortune” Triple Stars.
Called the “Millionaire Maker” by IGT, the suite of “Wheel of Fortune” games has been on casino floors for three decades. The brand has been deployed across various gaming segments, including slot machines, video lottery terminals, video poker, electronic table games, and online live dealer game shows.
IGT’s “Wheel of Fortune” Trio attracts much attention everywhere it’s placed. The attraction combines three Wheel terminal cabinets set against a 76-inch physical digital wheel wall.
While Wheel slots make dozens of gamblers millionaires each year, Derevjanik was only the fourth television non-celebrity contestant to win at least $1 million playing “America’s Game.”
Seacrest Sweepstakes Casino Deal
When he’s not at his day job or hosting “American Idol,” Seacrest promotes the online sweepstakes casino platform Chumba.
Seacrest is one of several celebrities who have lent his likeness to Chumba, with others including NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, country singer Cole Swindell, actress-singer Janel Parrish, and slots influencer Brian Christopher.
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