Stephen Ascuaga and Viola Gomez

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – A couple years ago, Viola Gomez and a friend opened a bar of chocolate. And they couldn’t understand why the writing on the candy itself was different than usual. You see, they didn’t know the candy company was conducting a $1 million dollar promotion. Turns out, the strange looking bar was the grand prize winner. But by the time they realized that important fact, well, the candy bar had met its fate.

“Just not lucky, ever, I guess,” said Gomez, a Hungry Valley, NV., resident.

Gomez’ luck changed in a big way on Friday, as the 22-year-old became the next instant winner in the Quest for Cash promotion at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. The middle of five siblings won $35, 703.27!

“I was in shock. I’m still in shock,” Gomez said. “At first I thought it was, at most, maybe $5,000. The game told me to go to the cashier and they told me it was $35,000. I couldn’t believe it. I’m usually not a lucky person. I never win anything. I guess I’m finally lucky!”

Born and raised in the Reno area, Gomez wasn’t sure what exactly to do with the money. Her current aspirations include checking out the Job Corps, and she said she might use some of the winnings to buy a car or further her education, along with “definitely putting some in the bank.”

Gomez joins area resident Pat Dugger, who instantly won more than $40,000 recently in the Quest for Cash game. John’s Club members can continue to play Quest for Cash, as it was reset following today’s jackpot. By using their player’s club card to swipe and play, guests can win a share of $1,000,000, including instant prizes of cash, dinners, shows, gifts and more.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier casino resort owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call (800) 648-1177 or (775) 356-3300, or visit janugget.com.