Colorado bowler wins $10 million jackpot while in Reno
February 22, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Most bowlers at the USBC Open Championships are excited when they bowl well enough to claim a share of the tournament's prize fund, but John Johnson of Golden, Colo., managed to become a multimillionaire before he even stepped on the tournament lanes this week.
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Shortly after exiting his flight to Reno on Sunday, Johnson put $20 into an airport slot machine, and minutes later, he was the winner of the $10,422,754.08 Megabucks MegaJackpot.
"When it hit, we all kind of looked at each other and wondered what happened," Johnson said. "I kept telling my wife that something was going to go well this week, whether it was bowling well or winning something, but I never could have imagined winning $10 million."
"The Biggest Little City in the World" has become a special destination for the 36-year-old Johnson and his teammates. Three of Johnson's six USBC Open Championships appearances have come at Reno's National Bowling Stadium, and while in town for the 2007 event, he and his wife, Stephanie were married.
"Three years ago, I married my wife, Stephanie, here in Reno," Johnson said. "All of us use the Open as a vacation every year, and we just come out to have a good time. Plus, bowling is a big part of my life. It's really the best of everything."
Johnson, a mechanical designer for BCER Engineering near Denver, tried not to let his big win and the flurry of media requests that followed distract him from helping Kamikaze Keglers on the tournament lanes Monday. The right-hander posted games of 222, 138 and 192 for a 552 series and helped his team to a 2,566 total. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., leads Regular Team with 3,063.
Johnson was joined on the lanes by Aaron Franks (534), Scott Maakestad (509), Clint Cator IV (492) and Jon Hanson (479).
"I don't think I shot really well, but all in all, I'm pretty happy with how we did," Johnson said. "I plan to keep coming to the Open wherever it may be, but for tomorrow, I plan on coming in and winning doubles and singles."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
Watch the video!
Shortly after exiting his flight to Reno on Sunday, Johnson put $20 into an airport slot machine, and minutes later, he was the winner of the $10,422,754.08 Megabucks MegaJackpot.
"When it hit, we all kind of looked at each other and wondered what happened," Johnson said. "I kept telling my wife that something was going to go well this week, whether it was bowling well or winning something, but I never could have imagined winning $10 million."
"The Biggest Little City in the World" has become a special destination for the 36-year-old Johnson and his teammates. Three of Johnson's six USBC Open Championships appearances have come at Reno's National Bowling Stadium, and while in town for the 2007 event, he and his wife, Stephanie were married.
"Three years ago, I married my wife, Stephanie, here in Reno," Johnson said. "All of us use the Open as a vacation every year, and we just come out to have a good time. Plus, bowling is a big part of my life. It's really the best of everything."
Johnson, a mechanical designer for BCER Engineering near Denver, tried not to let his big win and the flurry of media requests that followed distract him from helping Kamikaze Keglers on the tournament lanes Monday. The right-hander posted games of 222, 138 and 192 for a 552 series and helped his team to a 2,566 total. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., leads Regular Team with 3,063.
Johnson was joined on the lanes by Aaron Franks (534), Scott Maakestad (509), Clint Cator IV (492) and Jon Hanson (479).
"I don't think I shot really well, but all in all, I'm pretty happy with how we did," Johnson said. "I plan to keep coming to the Open wherever it may be, but for tomorrow, I plan on coming in and winning doubles and singles."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.