Sunderland’s father wins life-changing sum in casino poker game while celebrating his late father’s birthday

Michael Wharton, from Tunstall, won the life-changing prize on December 17 after taking part in a poker tournament at Grosvenor Casino in Sunderland as he celebrated the birthday of his late father, Michael Wharton Snr.

The 51-year-old competed in a poker tournament alongside his son, Mikey, but was eliminated early but decided to take part in the casino’s National Bad Beat Jackpot.

But now a delighted Michael has revealed what he’s going to do with the money.

He said: “We were celebrating my father’s birthday, who died aged 61 in 2009, when I got a call from my son inviting me to the Grosvenor casino to play a poker tournament.

“I wasn’t sure but my mum Kathleen said maybe dad would give me some luck and I’m so glad I listened to her.

“When we first saw the hand I had, we didn’t really know we would have a chance of winning the jackpot, so I just couldn’t believe it when they told me I had actually won £114,000.”.

“It wasn’t until the manager came and told us they should check it was a legit hand and even then we didn’t know how much I had won.

“I’m going to buy a house with the winnings, but first I’m going to celebrate with a family trip to Las Vegas and Mexico – we’re just going to enjoy the money.”

On the same night, Adam Smith, also from Sunderland, took home £57,000 in winnings after beating Mickey with a straight flush.

Mark Hunter, General Manager of Grosvenor Casino Sunderland, congratulated them both.

He said: “We are thrilled for Mickey and Adam who ended 2021 in the best possible way and won a life-changing sum of money.

“We are proud that this historic victory took place in our casino, and we look forward to more to come.”

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