October 6, 2008 (InfoPowa News) — When 21-year-old U.K. online gambler Matt Styles hit an almost GBP 200,000 jackpot at Ladbrokes Games.com last Friday, he initially feared it was just a wind-up, but he soon realized it was for real, and is now making financial plans he would not previously have thought possible.
A day after celebrating his 21st birthday, the High Wycombe administrator logged on to the Ladbrokes Games website and started playing Deal or No Deal, soon triggering a substantial GBP 196,633 jackpot that has been building since the launch of the game just over one year ago.
Matt, who lives at home with his parents and two sisters, now has big plans that include buying a car and taking a trip to Canada to visit a recently emigrated aunt. But he won't be squandering his big win and is considering investment opportunities.
Matt told Ladbrokes staff: "I'm thrilled with my win but it's only just sinking in — I'm still waiting for someone to tell me it's a wind up!
"Last week was definitely one I won't forget for a long time, turning 21 and then going on to win almost GBP 200,000 in such a short space of time was unbelievable. Maybe some of Noel Edmond's cosmic ordering has rubbed off on me!"
Charlie Goodenough, Acquisition Marketing Manager at Ladbrokes Games.com, said: "The Deal or No Deal Jackpot took just over a year to trigger and what a fantastic coincidence that our own birthday celebrations corresponded with Matt's 21st birthday. The game, based on the hugely successful television game show, has been extremely popular since its launch and has seen us give away over GBP 14.75 million in prizes."