Game of Thrones lottery fan wins $76K in epic Napa Valley adventure
Erie County, PA – A Pennsylvania Lottery player from Erie County turned a fantasy-themed getaway into a real-world windfall after winning $76,786 in a Game of Thrones™ second-chance prize trip — complete with medieval jousting, luxury accommodations, and a million-dollar group prize.
Rob Reno, 54, a longtime fan of the hit series and an Army veteran, was one of 44 winners selected through the PA Lottery’s Game of Thrones™ promotion. He entered using non-winning scratch-off tickets and the online version of the game. When he saw “Robert R., Erie County” listed among the winners, he hoped it was him. Moments later, the official confirmation email arrived.
Reno and his wife, Molly, traveled to Napa Valley, California, for a three-night stay at the Meritage Resort & Spa, where guests enjoyed gourmet meals, excursions, and a full-scale fantasy experience. The highlight came at the SEVEN KINGDOMS EXPERIENCE, held at Castello di Amorosa — a medieval-style castle — where guests cheered on the fictional houses they were assigned while watching a live joust.
Reno’s assigned group, House Targaryen, ultimately claimed the grand prize — a $1 million group win that awarded him $76,786. “It really was epic,” Reno said. “I shed a few tears, and they weren’t tears of sadness.”
A devoted Game of Thrones™ fan with a Stark direwolf tattoo, Reno now plans to get a second tattoo featuring the Targaryen three-headed dragon to commemorate the experience.
Reno works in finance at a local water utility and is a former volunteer firefighter, EMT, and avid karaoke fan. He also plays softball with the Erie Codgers 50+ league and has been a longtime fan of themed PA Lottery games like Stranger Things and Jurassic Park.
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Key Points
- Rob Reno of Erie County, PA, won $76,786 in a Game of Thrones™ second-chance lottery trip
- The prize came as part of a $1 million group win during an immersive event in Napa Valley
- Reno, a longtime fan, celebrated with fellow winners at a medieval-style castle