San Leandro Man Wins Multi-Million Dollar Jackpot

A San Leandro resident has a lot to celebrate after winning $8.4 million Tuesday playing a Megabucks slot machine game at a Northern California casino.

Dale Valentine, a retired firefighter and seasoned gambler, won the money Dec. 28 while playing slots at the Twin Pine Casino, located in the resort town of Middleton.

The 61-year old Valentine said he stopped by the casino when he and his wife Karen arrived in Lake County that day. They were in town to celebrate the new year at the vacation home they own there.

Megabucks is one of the games he likes to play most, he said, and before the big win he was ahead $350. He planned to use some of the money to buy groceries later that day. Then he gave the machine one last pull. 

The machine lit up, and Valentine said he initially thought, "Wait a minute ... this could be good."

"Surprise doesn't even really come close," Valentine said of the final tally displayed on the machine, $8,430,301.44. "I've hit a few jackpots, but nothing like this before."

Technicians inspected the machine to ensure it wasn't malfunctioning, and three and a half hours later, the results were verified, Valentine said.

Valentine said he has been a customer at Twin Pine for the last 15 years  and counts it among his favorite casinos. 

Valentine is retired after serving 29 years as a firefighter — 22 years at the San Leandro Fire Department and later seven years with Alameda County. His wife Karen is a retired teacher who was with the Hayward school district.

They have lived in their San Leandro home, where they raised two daughters who are now grown with children of their own, since 1979. 

Valentine said he wants to use the money to pay off some bills and then "just enjoy life." He said it will give him more time to contemplate retiring full time to Lake County, since going back and forth between the two homes has been expensive.

Twin Pine marketing director Tim McGlynn said Valentine told casino officials he plans to put some of the money in the bank, make a donation to Hospice and learn how to ride a Harley Davidson motorcycle. His wife Karen would also like a larger bathroom and closet for their home, McGlynn said.

"We were very surprised. You never know when it's going to happen — it doesn't happen very often," he said.

California Megabucks is a progressive dollar slot machine game that is linked with other Indian casinos in the state. Statewide, the Megabucks game produces multi-million dollar payouts only once or twice a year, said McGlynn.

Valentine said he is still deciding whether he wants the money in one lump sum or in annual installments, depending on how each option will affect his taxes.

The Twin Pine Casino and Hotel is owned and operated by the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California.