Sleepless punter scoops massive £5.1m in internet win from £1 bet

A SCOTS punter landed a £5.1million jackpot after staking just £1 on an internet one-armed bandit – thanks to a noisy dog.

The win is the biggest accumulator of its type in UK gambling history and the world’s third largest.

The Record knows the identity of the lucky Scot but has agreed to his request for anonymity. But we can reveal he is in his 20s and lives in a modest flat in Ayrshire.

And a friend said: “He was in his house and was woken up one night last week by the sound of a dog barking and couldn’t settle – and so decided to have a go online.

“He staked just a pound on a slot machine game, which is like a computer version of a ­one-armed bandit. He was up to £250 after a few wins in a row.

“With that, he then went on another game which has this massive jackpot.

“After six more spins he’d hit it – and it was £5.1million.

“It only took him a few minutes. He obviously found it pretty difficult getting back to sleep after that. It’s just unbelievable.

“He owes it all to that dog – he’d like to meet it and shake its paw.

“He is over the moon and just trying to take it all in. He’s a really nice guy and has told friends and family and a few other people close to him, but he doesn’t want his name more widely known for the moment.

“He has gone to stay with a relative for the moment while he tries to get his head round how much he’s won.

“He knows it’s an unbelievable story and is deciding whether to speak out as he knows it is a difficult thing to keep secret.”

Friends of the winner contacted the Record following the win. We spoke to locals near where he stayed, who confirmed the jackpot.

One said: “He’s not come back since he got the cheque and he’s gone to stay with a relative elsewhere in Scotland while he works out what to do.

“He’s a nice guy and everyone is over the moon about what has happened.”

Online gamers Betfred.com confirmed the prize but said they were unable to give any details of the winner as they had requested anonymity.

Betfred.com said: “One lucky customer has become the biggest online ­progressive jackpot winner in UK history after scooping the ­mind-blowing £5.1million jackpot on the Beach Life slot game.”

Betfred.com founder Fred Done added: “As a bookmaker, I get a thrill out of turning someone into a multi-millionaire at the click of a mouse.”