A Parow man is sitting pretty after becoming GrandWest’s first R10 million slots winner – the biggest-ever jackpot payout on the slots across the Sun International group in South Africa.
Klaus Barnard, 54, landed the jackpot last December, but the casino only announced it last week.
Mr Barnard had been attending a function with his wife when he decided to take a turn past his favourite Sirens slot machine.
“It was unbelievable, I was shaking,” he recalled, on realising he had hit the jackpot.
“I was sitting there in shock and then I phoned my wife who was also playing on the floor. I knew you could win R1 million in a casino but I never expected to win R10 million.”
This is Mr Barnard’s biggest windfall in his 16 years of gaming.
In July of last year, he won R700 000 and just five days before that he had a payout of R330 000.
Asked if he had any premonition that it was his lucky night to becoming a ten-times-over millionaire, Mr Barnard said: “At the time of my win, I was actually down on my play. “I got up from the Sirens machine to go play my other favourite slot machine, but it was occupied. I sat down again and continued playing.”
Trained as an accountant but currently working in his own business, Mr Barnard said he planned to take his wife and two children to Miami on holiday and then invest the rest of the money.
GrandWest spokeswoman Elouise Matthys said Mr Barnard has been a Most Valued Guest since the casino opened 16 years ago.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better to win the biggest slots payout across Sun International,” she said.
Mr Barnard, who visits GrandWest regularly to play as a form of relaxation when he is stressed from work, said he only played what he put on his card during each visit.
“If I play the amount out then that is it, I leave and come and play the next time. I never push it. This win feels simply awesome,” he said.