Hector Barahona Wins 2025 World Tournament of Slots for $1 Million

Five hundred came and by the end, one remained, as Hector Barahona from Toronto, Canada, was crowned the winner of the 2025 World Tournament of Slots.

Barahona would receive the $1 million first prize check from none other than TV legend Vanna White, onstage at a lavish Gala Dinner here at the Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas.

It brings to an end a frenetic two days of slots action that would see Barahona progress through a qualifying round, semi final, and final round on route to the seven-figure payday.

But outlast the field he did, besting players such as last year’s winner Stephanie Hall and Michael Mizrachi’s mother Susan ‘Momma Grinder’ Laufer, as he collected the week’s biggest prize and the accolade of being this year’s slots champion.

World Tournament of Slots 2025 Final Results

“I’m Going to Be Partying Tonight!”

Speaking to PokerNews after his win, Barahona could hardly contain his excitement, saying, “I’m so excited about the $1 million, I’m going to do so many things.”

“Of course I’m going to help my family out. I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do with all the money yet, but I like to make other people happy, so I’m going to use it to do that. Make my family happier.”

Asked how he planned to celebrate, Barahona grinned and added, “I’m going to be partying tonight, all through the night, man!”

PokerNews Qualifier Jimmy Schmotzer Finishes 18th

Also taking home a share of the prize pool was PokerNews competition qualifier Jimmy Schmotzer.

After topping his qualifying round and finishing 34th in the semifinals, Schmotzer continued to build momentum throughout the weekend. Following an intense final session today inside the WTOS Arena, he climbed even higher to finish 18th overall and secure a spot in the money, with twenty paid overall.

Speaking with PokerNews after his 18th place finish, Schmotzer would say, “I feel ecstatic, this whole experience has been absolutely fantastic. I recommend it to anyone!

“I’m going to be telling this story for a long time. Eighteenth out of 500 is just fantastic.”

“I want to say thank you to my wife. The whole thing’s been great, and we’re going to find a nice frame for the medal for sure!”

Eliot Thomas is a Content Executive at PokerNews, specializing in casino and poker coverage. He has reported on major events, including the World Series of Poker, European Poker Tour, and Triton Super High Roller Series.