BY AVERY GOODSTINE for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 7/3/2026
For a breathless second, time seems to slow as the slot machine reels click into place. The third of three matching icons slows and comes to a stop. After what feels like hours of mindless button-pushing, the stars feel like they are aligning. As that third icon stops, it takes a second to realize what’s just happened. Balloons and confetti come alive on the screen, jubilant fanfare begins to play, and strangers become friends in a moment of celebration.
There are few things comparable to the indescribable thrill of winning an immense amount of money at a casino, but two lucky winners had that rare experience at Emerald Queen Casino.
Susan B. won the Dancing Drums Grand Jackpot at EQC Tacoma on June 2 with an $8.80 bet, and Alfredo G. won $261,000 on Lion Link at EQC Fife with a $3.75 bet.
Dancing Drums is a slot game with five reels, three rows, and 243 ways to win. To play, players first choose their total bet per spin, then hit the spin button for each round. Players win when they receive matching symbols in adjacent reels.
There are four possible jackpots: mini, minor, major, and grand. During the bonus round, players pick symbols to match one of those jackpots. The coin-bowl animation is part of the game, but a full bowl does not mean the jackpot is about to hit.
Lion Link is a similar slot game. Alfredo’s Lion Link jackpot came from a triggered bonus. The pearl feature is initiated when six or more pearl symbols land during the base game. Players start with three spins, and every time another pearl lands, the spins reset to three. Every pearl that lands can reveal a cash value or one of the jackpot tiers. The grand jackpot hits when the full grid is filled with 15 pearls.
At EQC Tacoma, the Money Link jackpot is currently more than $600,000 and is still growing. The jackpot amount will continue to grow until someone hits it, as a percentage of player bets goes toward the jackpot amount.
Similar to Dancing Drums and Lion Link, the objective of Money Link is to get matching symbols on the first three reels. The return-to-player rate is about 94 percent with any bet.
Don’t worry, table-game players, there’s still a jackpot for you as well. The Blazing 7s progressive jackpot is nearly $150,000 and is still growing. For this jackpot, players can place an optional progressive side bet before the hand begins. Payouts are based on how many sevens are dealt, with the largest jackpot received for three suited sevens of diamonds. The jackpot amount grows as side bets are made across linked tables.
Jackpots can be won at both EQC locations in Fife and Tacoma 24 hours a day by patrons at least 21 years old. The Fife location address is 5700 Pacific Highway East, and the Tacoma address is 2920 E. R St. Both locations also have spaces to host large events and a hotel.
The Fife EQC features more than 2,300 slot machines, 100 hotel rooms, and a 25,000-square-foot event space and ballroom. There are two restaurants: the Paradise Deli and the Tatoosh Grill.
The Tacoma EQC was a $400 million project that opened in June 2020 and showcases a Vegas-style gaming floor. There are more than 2,100 slot machines, more than 60 table games, 155 hotel rooms and suites, six dining venues, a 1,800-seat entertainment center, a 250-seat sports bar, and more than 2,000 parking spaces.
EQC Tacoma also highlights traditional and contemporary Coast Salish artwork and architectural elements designed by members of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The building itself was also created with recycled materials and architecture designed to meet or exceed Washington’s energy code requirements.
It’s important to choose the best payout method for tax implications and financial decisions. According to JG Wentworth, jackpot winners usually have between 60 and 90 days to decide if they want to receive their winnings as a lump sum or through annuity payments.
If choosing the lump sum, the player will get access to all the money at once. But it is typically 40 percent to 50 percent less than the total jackpot amount. It’s also important to note that receiving a lump sum may put the receiver into a higher tax bracket.
Annuity payments provide smaller amounts of money over a longer period of time and are taxed as payments are received. A long-term payment plan can take decades to fully pay out.
No matter the amount, all casino winnings must be reported on the next tax return. According to the IRS, the minimum amount of casino winnings needed to be reported on a Form W-2G changes every year to reflect inflation. For 2026, the minimum amount is $2,000. IRS rules vary by wager amount, payout amount, game type, and whether federal tax was withheld. If an annuity payment option is chosen, a Form W-2G is filed every year for the payment amount received that year.
Casino winnings are classified as ordinary income by the IRS and require an automatic 24 percent federal withholding on winnings over $5,000.
It’s important to consider the pros and cons of both payment options to decide what works best for you financially. It is suggested to speak with a financial adviser about gambling winnings and how to receive them.
This content paid for by Emerald Queen Casino.
