Las Vegas casino pays out $15.5M jackpot on Christmas Eve

One lucky $3 bet changed everything. On a quiet Christmas Eve, Kevin Hart walked away with Nevada's largest slot jackpot since 2013.

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2026 February 9 . 10:42 PM

2 min read

The image shows the inside of a casino with a Christmas tree in the middle of it. The floor is... — The image shows the inside of a casino with a Christmas tree in the middle of it. The floor is tiled and there are railings on either side of the image. There are decorative items on the pillars and lights on the ceiling. In the background, there are many people gathered around the casino, and the atmosphere is festive and inviting.

Las Vegas casino pays out $15.5M jackpot on Christmas Eve

A player named Kevin Hart has won nearly $15.5 million on a slot machine at Las Vegas' Suncoast Hotel and Casino. The massive jackpot, struck on Christmas Eve, is believed to be Nevada's largest in eight years. The win comes during a subdued holiday season, with many hotels closed and gaming floors operating at reduced capacity due to coronavirus restrictions.

The exact payout totalled $15,491,103.27, earned from a $3 spin on an IGT Megabucks machine. Kevin Hart had initially invested around $40 before hitting the life-changing win at roughly 12:30 pm on Thursday. He splits his time between Las Vegas and Alaska and has said he plans to use the money to support his business and give back to others.

This latest jackpot joins a long list of historic Nevada wins. Since 2000, at least nine Megabucks payouts over $10 million have been recorded in the state. Notable examples include a $39.7 million win at the Excalibur in 2003, a $34.9 million win at the Desert Inn in 2000, and a $13.1 million win at Sunset Station in 2019. More recent wins include a $14 million jackpot at Atlantis Casino in 2022 and a $10.1 million payout at Aria Resort in 2023.

Unlike some casino wins, the Suncoast will not take a share of Kevin Hart's prize. The victory stands out as one of the largest in recent years, following a $10.2 million win at Fiesta Henderson in 2017 and an $11.1 million payout at Paris Las Vegas the same year.

The record-breaking win arrives as Las Vegas faces a quieter holiday period, with gaming floors limited to 25 percent capacity. Kevin Hart's jackpot marks a rare bright spot during a challenging time for the city's casinos. The funds will now go toward his business and charitable efforts, according to his plans.