Road Stop Results In Millions
Road Stop Results In Millions Save Email Print
Posted: 9:01 PM Nov 8, 2008
Last Updated: 12:19 AM Nov 9, 2008
Reporter: Jeremy.Edwards@wsaz.com

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NITRO, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- On a long road trip sometimes it's nice to get out of the car and stretch. So when Tom Hall and his girlfriend were heading to South Carolina from Michigan, they took a detour to Tri-State Race Track.

Hall fed a $20 bill into a nickel slot, and the rest of this story will likely change his life.

He won $3.4 million.

That makes him on of the biggest jackpot winners in state lottery history.

Hall is 67 and from Detroit. He accepted his check Saturday night at the track.

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Posted by: nl on Nov 10, 2008 at 08:36 PM
I used to go to the track at least 2 times a month. Taking my Ky money to WV. Since the table games come in, you can't cash your points in for money, they raised the room compensation from 1500 points for a standard room to 25,000 points. I now save my money and take it to Indiana where they give you a free room. The chairs there are torn and ragged. It is embarassing to think they are taking in all the money and you have to sit on torn chairs. They took a hometown casino and turned in to a money grabbing machine. Don't get me wrong I won there also and enjoyed going. But not after they changed all the rules and perks without notigying anyone.

Posted by: M&M on Nov 10, 2008 at 04:59 PM
CONGRATS!!!!!!

Posted by: John on Nov 10, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I just donated over $3000.00 this weekend, and that's from Ohio. Will Ohio ever get that back??? I had fun, that's what life's all about! Enjoying while we are here! So, be happy for this guys, it could have been any one of us!

Posted by: Debbie on Nov 10, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Hey Tom, aren't you my long lost Dad? I'm sure you must be.

Posted by: To genius: on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Your name is inaccurate. He has to pay WV taxes on that money.

Posted by: DINNER on Nov 10, 2008 at 11:06 AM
AND WHEN WILL WE BE HAVING DINNER AT TONIGHT HONEY? IHOP I HOPE??

Posted by: Scott on Nov 10, 2008 at 08:50 AM
Dear God, stop reading so much into this. This is just a lucky, lucky, LUCKY man! Good for him. I hope he spends his money wisely, and donates some to charity. Lord knows there are a lot of needy causes out there, particularly in this economy.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 10, 2008 at 08:20 AM
atta boy! that is awesome!

Posted by: Jason on Nov 10, 2008 at 03:48 AM
Looks like he wagered the maximum bet of 20.00 and hit an overall jackpot.

Posted by: dr pepper on Nov 10, 2008 at 12:02 AM
i have been to the track numerous times. I mostly play nickels. I cannot recall a machine that pays out this much. And i never win a thing there. I think this might be a stunt to try to attract more attention where table games was added??

Posted by: billy on Nov 9, 2008 at 07:45 PM
cant win if you dont play

Posted by: Joe on Nov 9, 2008 at 07:25 PM
I go here quite a bit and I have never seen a nickel progressive machine that would pay this sort of money. I agree it always seems that out of state people win the big dollars as well as the high stake give aways.

Posted by: excited! on Nov 9, 2008 at 02:04 PM
wow! congratulations! yeah, what amy said, where is this machine located? i havent been up there for awhile, i didn't know these machines paid that much! congratulations to him and his family. and people, quit hatin! if it were you, you would be happy so leave this man alone and who cares where he spends it! if you won, would you really stay in wv and spend all your money here? yeah, i didn't think so...

Posted by: rachel on Nov 9, 2008 at 01:30 PM
i just wonder how big of a tip he gave!!!

Posted by: astonished on Nov 9, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I cannot believe the jealousy! It is called a progressive slot. It builds over time and the one who happens to be playing it at that time wins. This establishment has this kind of money, because people like him AND WV's play these machines. Quit complaining about the money going out of state, there is alot more staying in the state from there. Where do you think all the money from those poker rooms you see on every corner is going? I have seen people that are convinced if you tap the screen two times, up your bet one, tap the stop button, etc. That they will hit more. These machines are set to hit every so often. It is just who is playing it at that time. If you want more of a chance to hit, play more. Quit being jealous of a man who happened to be in the right place at the right time. And trust me, 3/4 of the money is staying right here in this state from these machines. Now WHERE it goes in the state is the million dollar question....

Posted by: Beth Ann on Nov 9, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Congratulations. I am jealous.

Posted by: Genius! on Nov 9, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I'm no banker or accountant, but let me try to figure this up. He put 20 dollars into the state and received 3.4 million dollars to take to South Calrolina. This IS genius!!!!

Posted by: Charlie on Nov 9, 2008 at 08:57 AM
He didn't say he was ahead he said he was about even. He has visited casinos across the country ,who does that except a gambler? He didn't just drop in there was a reason he was there. With the economy the way it is around here it is hard to get excited about a guy just passing through & walking off with that much money. He said he was going to help his family,I hope so maybe he will bail out a family member who is losing their home because the government sure won't their help our money goes to the rich ,Wall Street. Then he should call a press conference & show the government how to really help someone in need.

Posted by: Amy on Nov 9, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I go to the track all the time and I have never seen a slot machine that would pay off that much. Where about is this machine located?

Posted by: brown water prince on Nov 9, 2008 at 07:28 AM
wonder why it is most folks who win money here, don't live here? hope they and their home state enjoy it.

Posted by: Tom's nephew on Nov 9, 2008 at 06:26 AM
I hope he remembers his long lost relatives.....

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 9, 2008 at 02:43 AM
Bill, trust me, I use to be a collector for a WV Lottery vender for video lottery. They pay out alot but they keep a whole lot more. I don't play them but I know they do make alot of money for WV.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 9, 2008 at 02:30 AM
funny how an "out of state" person wins all the "so called" millions! if you dont see these bread crumbs *gimmick to get people to go to that establishment* and it also strikes me as strange this establishment has SO much $$$$$$ wow ~ wonder if the IRS knows that???

Posted by: daniel on Nov 9, 2008 at 01:29 AM
haha wv's are losers. 3.4 mill going out of state. If you would gamble your money instead of spending it at wal-mart you might get rich too. yippy kay yay.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 9, 2008 at 01:08 AM
Man I put a $20 in those nickel slots at least one time every couple weeks and I never win more than $100! Lucky son of a gun!

Posted by: Bill on Nov 8, 2008 at 11:51 PM
That's great! Another $3.4 million from West Virginians leaving the state. I'm glad slot machines are doing such a great job bringing in revenue.

Posted by: Jason on Nov 8, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Ummm.. Wow! How does one go about winning 3.4 million on a slot machine?

Posted by: ? on Nov 8, 2008 at 09:39 PM
WOW!

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