Wheel of Fortune Sets Game Show Record, as Player Wins More Than $1 Million

• Gambling News
• 01 October 2025

On Wednesday, a Connecticut lady made television game show history by winning almost $1 million on "Wheel of Fortune."

Early in the competition, contestant Christina Derevjanik of Stamford, Connecticut, won the "One Million Dollars" wedge. After properly answering multiple problems and earning $35,155 in cash and trips to Montana and Japan, she advanced to the Bonus Round with the $1 million wedge.

The $100K envelope on the smaller Bonus Round wheel has been replaced by the $1 million prize since its introduction in 2008. In order to win, the competitor must properly solve the last puzzle after spinning the wheel and landing on one of the 24 potential envelopes.

Derevjanik promptly responded, "Pack of Coyotes," after selecting "Living Things" as the category and selecting R, S, T, L, N, and E as her starting letters, followed by M, C, F, and A. Ryan Seacrest, the host, then revealed that she had won $1 million, making her show profits $1,035,155, a record 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 was unclear if Derevjanik opted for a one-time lump sum payment of roughly $660K or the whole $1 million paid out over 20 years in $50K increments. Both choices come before state and federal taxes.

Derevjanik, a marketing employee at Con Edison, says she intends to move out of her one-bedroom apartment and buy a house with a portion of her earnings.

Wheel Slots Frequently Pay High

One of the most well-liked slot machines in casinos all around the nation is "Wheel of Fortune." The terminals, which are made by IGT, are renowned for producing victories that change people's lives.

A "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine player won a progressive jackpot of almost $4.5 million on January 28, 2014. More recently, a player at MGM Resorts' Empire City Casino won a $2,995,532 progressive prize this week. The New Yorker was using Triple Stars to play "Wheel of Fortune."

The "Wheel of Fortune" game series, dubbed the "Millionaire Maker" by IGT, has been playing on casino floors for thirty years. Slot machines, video lottery terminals, video poker, electronic table games, and online live dealer game shows are just a few of the gaming industries where the brand has been used.

Everywhere it is displayed, IGT's "Wheel of Fortune" Trio draws a lot of interest. Three wheel terminal cabinets are arranged in front of a 76-inch real digital wheel wall as part of the attraction.

Derevjanik was only the fourth non-celebrity competitor on television to win at least $1 million while playing "America's Game," despite the fact that wheel slots make dozens of gamblers millionaires every year. 

Deal at Seacrest Sweepstakes Casino 

When Seacrest isn't working at his day job or hosting "American Idol," he advertises Chumba, an online sweepstakes casino.

Actress-singer Janel Parrish, country singer Cole Swindell, NASCAR racer Bubba Wallace, and slots influencer Brian Christopher are among the celebrities who have contributed their likenesses to Chumba, including Seacrest.