Player Hits $1.5 Million Jackpot on Whitney Houston Slots at Virgin

By Scott Roeben, on April 14 2025
2 min read 16 comments
Gambling Las Vegas Las Vegas Casinos Slot Machines

Jackpots, Whitney, Slots, Virgins, oh, my!

A lucky guest from California hit a $1.5 million jackpot at Virgin Las Vegas on April 12, 2025.

The game was Whitney Houston Slots. The bonus was the Platinum Progressive. The bet was $3. The Las Vegas dream lives and Virgin really needed this win.

The jackpot was $1,515,034.61, but when you’re a millionaire, you can round down.

The jackpot winner wasn’t identified, possibly because million-dollar winners never tip, so remaining anonymous assures nobody will spit in your cocktail during your next visit.

We are kidding, probably!

That’s the entire story about this jackpot, other than that Virgin is really, really happy to report this big win.

Virgin has been struggling for some time, and just emerged from a nasty union strike.

The off-Strip casino has been making a lot of changes to improve its prospects for success, including wresting control of its casino back from Mohegan Sun, possibly the worst casino operator, ever.

Be the player who forces IGT to make the “Credit” screen wider.

Virgin recently launched its new loyalty program, Cherry Rewards, of which it is very proud.

“Cherry” is a euphemism for hymen, a thin membrane at the vaginal opening which is broken when one is no longer a “virgin.” Get it?

The news release about the jackpot was very clear to say the winner had enrolled in the new rewards program.

Great publicity, wonderful opportunity to fold in the fact the casino finally has a loyalty club worth checking out.

A big jackpot can sometimes draw new interest in a casino. The casino is saying, “Someone won a million dollars here, you can, too!” You know, science. The timing of this Whitney Houston Slots windfall is perfect for a reinvigorated Virgin.

Our high school band could’ve gotten a record contract if Kevin had been willing to wear his shades.

How much of the jackpot does the player actually end up getting to keep? Well, it varies.

Big progressive jackpots are paid by the machine manufacturer, in this case IGT, not the casino.

The player can get an annuity for decades or take a lump sum. The lump sum payment is much less than they’d get over time, but that’s what people tend to do.

The IRS holds 24% right off the bat. Yes, the IRS takes a big bite despite the fact it risked absolutely nothing for its “commission” on the win. Don’t get us started.

The remaining tax obligation depends upon a variety of factors, including the winner’s personal tax situation.

For a $1.5 million jackpot, the player will ultimately keep about $945,000, a pretty good return on a $3 bet.

Big wins are a wonderful reminder about the magic of Las Vegas. One push of the button or yank on the arm of a slot machine can change your life.

Plus free drinks when you’re gambling.

Is there anything Las Vegas can’t do?