They're already retired but this will make retirement all that much sweeter says the latest big winners at the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.
Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA)'s Smoke Signals progressive jackpot was won last Wednesday and the win is the second largest payout from a slot machine in SIGA and Saskatchewan's history.
Emile Chandonnet, a retired farmer living in Canora, along with his partner Ruby Wurtz, were at the Painted Hand Casino when he hit the $985,969 jackpot.
Chandonnet says the pair spent about $400 between them that day and they're taking the win in stride.
He adds, he's not one to get overly excited although his partner Wurtz, chimed in, "he woke up at three a.m. singing the night of the win. So we got up, had some blueberry waffles and then tried to go back to bed."
Chandonnet and Wurtz moved to Canora from Alberta about five years ago and now their plan is to take it easy and enjoy life.
"We're going to use the money for travel, pay a few bills.. I'll be 68 in January so travel will be nice..." First on the list is a trip to mineral springs and spa in Watrous he says.
"We are very excited to present this landmark payout to one of our lucky patrons," says Zane Hansen, SIGA President and CEO. "The Smoke Signals jackpot has been growing since October 2010. The excitement this jackpot has generated at our casinos has been tremendous. On behalf of SIGA I would like to congratulate Mr. Chandonnet on his big win!"
"This is the second biggest jackpot paid out in any SIGA casinos and in Saskatchewan," adds Jonathan Pasap, General Manager at the Painted Hand Casino. "It's been exciting to see the jackpot build up to be nearly a million dollars, and we are thrilled that the winner was at the Painted Hand Casino!"
The last time SIGA had a payout close to this size was at the Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton, in 2003, where a woman from the small town of Theodore won over $986,413.
Smoke Signals is SIGA's largest progressive jackpot. It is a wide-area progressive that links slot machines from all six SIGA casinos. It starts at $250,000 and builds ("progresses") as people play, until someone wins the major jackpot. The jackpot can be won at any of the SIGA casinos.
