It was one of those ongoing Vegas-only stories: A seven-figure progressive jackpot that had been attached to a single machine for more than 20 years. For more than half that time, players have been dutifully lining up to play the last “Lion’s Share” themed progressive slot machine, with a jackpot that had been growing for two decades.
And now it’s gone.
On August 22, the magic numbers finally lined up and the Lion’s Share jackpot was awarded to the Walter and Linda Misco, a couple from New Hampshire who had been visiting Las Vegas for more than two decades. Linda Misco had read a story about the Lion’s Share machine at the MGM Grand, and told Walter he had to play it.
The Lion’s Share machine was originally one of 50 themed dollar reel-spinning slot machines the MGM Grand bought in 1990. The progressive link was not popular, so the casino removed all but one machine—MGM officials said they would award that jackpot as law required but would not take the option of splitting it among other progressive links. It would remain with the last Lion’s Share machine, no matter how many spare parts they would need to scrounge over the ensuing decades to keep it running. The machine kept right on ticking, and the jackpot never hit, and that made people want to play it more.
And so it went until late August, when Walter Misco threw a $100 bill into the Lion’s Share machine and lined up the jackpot symbols.
The best part of the story? MGM is giving the machine to the Miscos. At press time, they were checking on New Hampshire law to see if they’re allowed to bring it home.
“We’re going to do our best to let them take the machine home with them, because they deserve it,” said Steve Sibella, MGM Grand’s chief operating officer, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
