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Gerald Wade’s experience pales in comparison to Jed Clampett ‘a
shootin’ at some food’ and striking oil. However, Wade’s rise to
riches parallels, on a microcosm, the story of the hero from his
favorite television show. Instead of ‘a shootin’, this
Murfreesboro, Mississippi tow truck driver was ‘a pullin’ on a slot
machine.
Last Saturday Wade was
spending an evening at the Fitzgerald’s Casino Hotel in Tunica,
Mississippi. While playing the 1-cent progressive slot machine, The
Beverly Hillbillies, Wade struck the jackpot and became an instant
millionaire.
Wade reflected on the irony
of the situation, “They always tease me about watching ‘Beverly
Hillbillies’ every morning. But that is the first time I have
played the machine.”
Wade does not have a reason
for playing that particular slot machine on that day. He claims
‘something’ told him to give it a try. “It was my time to hit,” he
says.
It only took Wade five
minutes out of his night and $20 dollars out of his pocket before he
stuck a $1.4 million jackpot. He happened to be a regular in the
Tunica casino for several years. He would even pay as many as two
visits a month.
Even if Wade is not aware of
the magnitude of his luck, Larry Lovell, an IGT spokesperson, says
the chances of winning the statewide progressive jackpot are similar
to the chances of winning the lottery. IGT operates many games,
including The Beverly Hillbillies progressive slot machine.
A million dollar jackpot can
easily change your life and those around you. But, Wade’s wise
words are, “I make money. It doesn’t make me.” Wade does plan on
buying a new house, though it probably will not be in Beverly Hills
with a cement pond.
The slot machine winnings
will also take care of Wade’s family. When his granddaughter
graduates from Oakland High School this year she will have a college
fund all set up.
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