Philadelphia native becomes latest Atlantic City millionaire
3 Sep 2013
Philadelphia native Dennis Weihe walked in to Harrah's Resort Atlantic City and walked out an instant millionaire, courtesy of the Millionaire Maker Total Rewards promotion. Weihe was alongside 19 other Total Rewards finalists vying for the prize, and he now joins three other fellow Millionaire Maker winners: Patricia Sheik from Lakewood, N.J., Dorothy Muller from Cherry Hill, N.J. and Donna Clopp from Mays Landing, N.J.
"It hasn’t sunk in yet, it really hasn't," said Weihe. "We weren't going to come down, but last night (Saturday) at 11 we made the right decision and headed to Atlantic City. I woke up the next day and was waiting to hear my name called, and then it surprisingly was, for the 20 finalists, I couldn't believe it."
By 10 p.m., 20 potential millionaires lined up side-by-side in front of the lavish Millionaire Maker game show-style set at Harrah's Resort, which included a vault containing gold bars. Master of ceremonies Robin Leach welcomed the masses and began the competition. After each contestant selected their gold bar, the Millionaire Maker wheel was spun and Kevin Ortzman, senior vice president and general manager of Caesars, Bally's and Showboat Atlantic City called out the winning number, "11."
"Eleven isn't even a really lucky number for me," Weihe said. "Today was just my day. I have been coming here for over 20 years and to have this happen was exciting."
Dennis Weihe is now Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City's fourth millionaire made thanks to the Millionaire Maker promotion. In total, Caesars Entertainment has made 743 millionaires.
"I think we are going to take the family on a cruise, my daughter, the grandkids, her husband," Weihe said when asked about the first thing he plans to do with the money. "And I know the second thing we are going to do with the money is get my wife a shore home, she always wanted a shore home, maybe one right in Brigantine, N.J. She likes Brigantine, 'cause it's close to Atlantic City."