Medical Student Wins $2 Million Irvine Home In Pechanga's Massive 'Home Sweet Win' Giveaway

TEMECULA, CA — A Southern California medical student living in a 500 square foot converted garage in Los Angeles County opened the door to her brand new, $2.2 million home in Irvine. She was the lucky keyholder in Pechanga Resort Casino after becoming the grand finale winner of Pechanga Resort Casino’s second Home Sweet Win giveaway, over the last weekend of May.

The three-month casino promotion came down to the finish with Anahy M. (last name reserved for privacy) and two other finalists selecting keys they hoped would unlock the door to a new luxury home. The first to choose, she selected key number one and stood behind the middle door on the finale stage.

Ty Pennington, HGTV and "Extreme Home Makeover" star, was once again the event’s host and emcee. He called out to the contestants: “Open That Door!"

Moments later, Anahy’s key turned the lock, and she walked through the door on stage with tears in her eyes.

Anahy, with her 7-year-old daughter and extended family in tow, toured her jackpot of a home in Orange County the following morning. During the walk-through, she and her boyfriend, Erick, laughed that they would no longer have to hit the laundromat.

“I moved to LA from Perris to go to school in 2024, but rents are so expensive all over Los Angeles. We moved into my parents’ garage, not thinking life would lead me here. My dream has always been to give my daughter a better future.”

The couple made significant renovations to the garage to make it livable, she said. They’ve lived there for two years while she attended school to become an ultrasound technician. She graduates in August.

As she told Pechanga staff about a job interview she had lined up the week after her major win, "she lit up," a spokesperson for the event shared.

“I had dreams about the contest and about this house for weeks before this, only in some of them, I picked the wrong door,” the winner laughed. “For years, I’ve been working hard and dreaming about giving my daughter her dream home.”

After her incredible win, Anahy told Pechanga Resort Casino staff who toured the home with her that she can’t wait to use the kitchen and start cooking for her daughter and extended family.

She said she and her entire family have been coming to Pechanga Resort Casino for many years for staycations. She recounts luck has been with her nearly every visit, even winning $10,000 earlier in 2026, although nothing will top winning the house, she said.

Sean Vasquez, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation.

“There’s nothing quite like watching someone’s life change in a single moment,” Vasquez said. “On Saturday, that moment belonged to Anahy and her family, and the joy in that room is exactly why we created Home Sweet Win. Congratulations to them on their beautiful new home. We couldn’t be happier, and we’re already looking forward to next year.”

The two other finalists in Pechanga’s Home Sweet Win promotion took home $50,000 cash each.

Sad you missed it?

Home Sweet Win will return to Pechanga in 2027, Vasquez promised. Casino officials say they are making it bigger and better every year.

Alongside the 2026 Home Sweet Win home giveaway, Pechanga gave nearly $100,000.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) to continue their rebuilding efforts following 2025’s devastating wildfires.

Pechanga also provided $50,000 to Habitat LA after the 2025 Home Sweet Win home giveaway. Habitat LA has a long history of assisting vulnerable households after disasters. For more information, visit Pechanga.com.