30 years after 1st visit, a $7.3 million win

ATLANTIC CITY - A man who was present when Harrah's Resort Atlantic City opened in 1980 won more than $7.3 million on Tuesday, 30 years to the day later.

The winner, who lives near Trenton and would allow himself to be publicly identified only as "Tom," was playing the Wheel of Fortune progressive $5 machine at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday when he won a jackpot of $7,355,381.

He plans to buy a 1967 Camaro with part of the money, and share some of the rest with family and friends, according to a casino spokesman. The man refused to speak with reporters.

The jackpot happened on the 30th anniversary of the casino, which opened on Nov. 23, 1980.

"We have some of the most loyal customers in the world, and it is even more rewarding that this jackpot winner has been a patron to our casino and part of the Harrah's family for 30 years," said Jay Snowden, the casino's senior vice president and general manager.