Hazel Morris and her husband Dale have an extraordinary story to share after she struck gold online.
A simple wager on the Kentucky Lottery's Elephant King Instant Play game turned into a life-changing event for the Chavies, Kentucky, couple when she hit the progressive jackpot and won over $281,000.
Hazel's journey to her big win began the night before when she was playing Instant Play games. She initially planned to stop playing and cash out, but something nudged her to keep the money in her account for future plays. "I started playing the day before and went up to like a hundred dollars," Hazel recalled. She trusted her instincts and decided to hold onto her winnings and try again later.
The next evening, after returning from work, Hazel resumed playing. Just a few hands in, she hit the jackpot. "I only played five or six hands and was betting a dollar at a time," she explained. "I saw that Mega thing come up, and boom, there it was!" To her astonishment, $281,651.41 appeared on her screen.
Online Jackpot Is "Eggzactly" What She Wanted
Upon seeing the winning notification, Hazel was overwhelmed. "I just started shaking. I sat there for a long time, and I just started thanking God. I couldn't believe it was real," she said. Speechless with excitement, she couldn't even call out to her husband, Dale. She eagerly awaited verification from the Kentucky Lottery, which soon confirmed her life-changing win.
Ironically, before her win, Hazel had joked about striking it rich by sharing a meme with friends. The meme showed a refrigerator full of eggs with the message, “I wouldn’t tell anyone I won the lottery, but there will be signs,” never expecting it to become a reality.
She even went to the Kentucky Lottery offices to collect her winnings with a carton of eggs.
How To Play Elephant King
To play Elephant King, you need an understanding of its participation in several Progressive Jackpots. Each Progressive Jackpot Instant Play game has its own rules, and not every game contributes to the same jackpot.
When playing, a portion of each sale contributes to a shared jackpot with other participating games. Specifically, for the Mega Jackpot, $250,000 is the base amount, and 1.50% of sales contribute to it.
For the Major Jackpot, the base starts at $5,000 with a 0.25% sales contribution, and the Mini Jackpot starts at $500 with a 0.25% contribution. Your goal in Elephant King is to find three or more matching symbols next to each other, called "winning clusters," to earn a prize.
Alternatively, landing an Elephant Prize Disk Symbol in a column that lines up with the Prize Disk Row can secure instant prizes, a Free Turn Bonus, or even the Mini, Major, or Mega progressive jackpot amounts.
Hazel Makes Plans for the Future
With 22 years of service in the kitchen at the Eastern Kentucky Veteran Center, Hazel now has new opportunities thanks to her win. She plans to use her prize money to pay off bills and create a financial cushion for retirement. "It's not enough to retire on, but it will certainly help," she said. Additionally, Hazel and Dale intend to support their children and friends who have been there for them.
Hazel visited a local bakery to celebrate her incredible fortune, treating herself and friends to donuts. "It's a life-changing event, and I'm grateful for this blessing," she shared, embracing the thrill and relief brought by her unexpected windfall.
Hazel’s story is a testament to the unpredictable nature of luck and the profound impact it can have on everyday lives.
Elephant-themed slot machines, like the one Hazel played, are popular at various sweepstakes casinos, offering players a chance to enjoy a diverse range of games. While these games can be fun and potentially rewarding, it's crucial to approach them responsibly. Set limits, know when to stop, and remember that gambling should always be a form of entertainment, not a financial strategy.
