Communiqué de presse

Montréal, April 30, 2017 – Marc Bruneau and his spouse, Lise Boucher, from Laval, were very grateful for the bad weather that led them to choose to visit the Casino de Montréal. After just $15 in bets on the new Powerbucks slot machine, they won the slot game’s first progressive jackpot in Canada, one of the biggest payouts in the Casino’s history: $1.7 million.

The lucky couple, still very excited about the news, met with the media in the Casino’s private lounge. “I certainly didn’t expect this today! I come to the Casino every once in a while and always bet $20 on the Powerbucks machine. When I saw the progressive jackpot come up, I just couldn’t believe it,” said Mr. Bruneau. His spouse was quick to add: “The most important thing in life is good health, but we are now lucky enough to have both money and our health.”

The retired couple will take some time to consider their options as to what to do with their winnings, but are already planning a trip. “We’ve always enjoyed treating others, but now we’ll be treating ourselves a bit,” added Ms. Boucher.

First Powerbucks machine win in Québec

Already operating and enjoyed in other Canadian provinces, the Powerbucks machine with a progressive jackpot starting at $1 million has been available on Espacejeux.com and in Québec’s casinos and gaming halls since January 2017.

A generous, network-connected prize with bets as low as 50¢

• Powerbucks is innovative, as it links online gaming to on-site machines in addition to being network-connected with British Columbia and Manitoba.
• This collaboration makes the progressive jackpot grow quickly thanks to the large number of players who contribute both online and in establishments across the three provinces.
• The minimum bet is only 50¢.

Quotes

• “Powerbucks has been offered in British Columbia since the summer of 2016 and is very popular with customers in Western Canada. We were pleased to finally offer it to Quebecers and especially pleased that the first progressive jackpot in Canada was won here at the Casino de Montréal,” said Kevin Taylor, President of Operations, Société des casinos du Québec.