Porterville man wins car from Eagle Mountain Casino

Sergio Gradillas smiled all the way to the DMV Monday, after becoming the big winner in Eagle Mountain Casino’s Pumpkin Patch promotion.

The big prize was an automobile — a black 2009 Ford Edge.

How did he feel about the win?

“It’s OK, I like it,” he said. “I didn’t spend any money to win it.”

Gradillas is a member of the casino’s Summit Club. For the October promotion, on the last Friday of the month club officials drew names of nine people for the drawing and the chance to win the 2009 Ford Edge.

“Once the names are drawn, a numbered envelope is selected [by participants] and they draw the number of a mail box,” Eagle Mountain Public Relations Coordinator Jim Valencia said.

“Sergio was the seventh person out of the nine to draw a mailbox number and he drew number four. When they opened mailbox number four the key to the car was in the box.

“There were eight $100 bonus cash prizes and one car.”

Summit Club officials distribute entry tickets to guest, Valencia said, who earn them by playing table games, slots, being a member and sometimes though direct mail.

“I think this is the fifth or sixth car we’ve given away this year,” Valencia said.

The next promotion, Rudolph’s Riches, runs from now through Dec. 20. Drawings will be for $6,000 will be held every Friday and Sunday at 9 p.m.

Gradillas, said he is happy to have won the car, but “I might keep it or I might sell it to my daughter.”

-- Contact Anita Stackhouse-Hite at 784-5000, Ext. 1043, or astackhouse-hite@portervillerecorder.com.