ATLANTIC CITY - Teresa Piotti wants to go to Las Vegas. Her husband, Dante Piotti, wants to go to Florida.
With $200,000 — the money Teresa Piotti, 78, of Williamstown, won in Trump Entertainment’s month-long promotion that guaranteed one lucky Trump One cardholder $1 million slot dollars or a cash option — they could easily do
When her name was announced during Sunday’s drawing, Teresa Piotti said she was surprised, but was more excited to hear she was not in trouble for anything.
“I thought they came to lock me up,” she said, after explaining to Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort employees that she did not understand why they asked her to follow them at about 1:40 p.m. Sunday.
Piotti said she was busy playing her favorite slot machine when a member of the Trump team asked her to come with them, without clarifying why they knew her or why they needed her.
The in-casino promotion resulted in countless entries by cardholders who, with each use of their Trump One card, were entered into a massive pool of potential winners.
The promotion included all three Trump Atlantic City casinos including Trump Marina Hotel Casino and Trump Plaza Hotel Casino. While the grand prize was an instant $1 million slot dollars to play in any of the Trump-owned casinos, there was also a cash option.
That option also was shrouded in mystery because, if the winner opted for the cash, they would be presented with three envelopes and they’d have to pick one without knowing what the cash prize was inside.
Depending on the selected envelope, the winner could have won $200,000, $225,000 or $250,000.
Despite playing slots at the Trump Taj Mahal at least three days a week for the last 20 years, Piotti said she had no idea the promotion was even happening.
“I didn’t even know I had anything,” she said, adding she also had no idea how many entries she could have garnered in the month.
While Teresa Piotti remained cool about the money, Dante Piotti, 84, said he was “shaking like a leaf” when he heard his wife’s name called.
“I can’t believe it,” he said, holding the larger-than-life check as his wife sorted through the details of their winnings with casino officials. “Nothing good ever happened to me. This is the first time.”
Even as Dante Piotti held the cardboard check and was debriefed by casino security about how and why they would be escorted to their vehicle after collecting the money, he stood shocked and in disbelief about the new fortune they had acquired.
“I can’t still believe it,” he said shaking his head.
Contact Caitlin Dineen:
609-272-7247
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