Veteran wins biggest single-game payout in ‘The Price Is Right’ history
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A “The Price is Right” contestant set a new daytime record after winning the prize for the largest single pricing game in the show’s 54-year history.
Vanesa McCaskell, a retired Army veteran from Virginia, took home more than $240,150 in cash and prizes during Friday’s special Mother’s Day episode of the CBS soap.
The landmark win comes after McCaskell successfully ran “The Lion’s Share,” a new high-stakes BetMGM-branded game where contestants could risk their winnings for a chance at a significantly larger payout.
McCaskell walked away from “The Lion’s Share” with $227,500 in cash and a trip to Morocco worth $12,650. Her win surpassed the previous one-price game record of $210,000, set by former contestant Christen Freeman in 2016 during a game of “Cliff Hangers.”
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During Friday’s special Mother’s Day episode of the popular daytime game show, the “The Price is Right” contestant set a new record. (CBS Publishing Inc.)
“From ‘Come on Down’ to playing ‘The Lion’s Share,’ it all felt so surreal, a dreamlike moment that grew and grew,” McCaskell said in a statement. via Variety.
“I was nervous, I was excited, and it all happened at once,” he added. “Earning more than $200,000 will change my life. I plan to invest wisely, have some fun, and give my mom a special surprise.”
“The Lion’s Share,” created by “The Price Is Right” production company Freemantle in partnership with BetMGM, debuted in the first episode of season 54 in September 2025 and offers contestants the chance to win up to $500,000 in cash and prizes.
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In the game, contestants guess the prices of grocery items to win up to five balls, which are dropped into a wind tunnel-style chamber to reveal hidden prize amounts. After each reveal, contestants must decide whether to walk away with their winnings or continue playing at the risk of “losing it all” drawing the ball.
Retired Army veteran Vanesa McCaskell won the prize for the largest single pricing game in the show’s 54-year history. (CBS Publishing Inc.)
During Friday’s episode, McCaskell took an aggressive approach to the game as his daughter watched and cheered from the crowd. After winning $2,500 in the first round, McCaskell kept going and fell to the ground with excitement when the prize was announced to be $25,000. McCaskell advanced to the third round and began screaming after winning $100,000.
With two balls remaining and $127,500 in total winnings, McCaskell decided to continue playing.
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“The last two digits are my daughter’s birthday,” he told host Drew Carey. “I have to go.”
“For you, baby,” McCaskell said, pointing to her daughter in the audience.
McCaskell didn’t seem to believe it when it was revealed that he had won another $100,000 and his daughter was jumping up and down in the crowd.
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“Vanesa, we’re almost at a quarter of a million dollars,” Carey said. “One more ball left.”
“I have to believe,” an emotional McCaskell said, shakily, before continuing.
McCaskell walked away with $240,150 in cash and prizes after playing “The Lion’s Share.” (CBS Publishing Inc.)
When the final prize was revealed to be a “mother-daughter trip” to Morocco worth $12,650, McCaskell covered her head with her hands.
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As McCaskell celebrated finishing the game with $240,150, Carey congratulated him.
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“Good job. What an achievement,” he said, before shaking McCaskell’s hand and wishing him a “happy retirement.”
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According to BetMGM and Fremantle, “The Lion’s Share” is the first privately branded game in the history of “The Price Is Right” and the first new pricing game the show has introduced since 2021.
McCaskell’s haul included a “mother-daughter trip” to Morocco worth $12,650. (Chelsea Lauren/Penske Media)
In January 2025, BetMGM and Fremantle signed a multi-year partnership agreement giving BetMGM exclusive rights to use the “Right Price” and “Family Feud” intellectual property for online casino content, including slots, table games and other gambling-style games. The deal also included integrated sponsorships and branded segments on TV shows such as “The Lion’s Share.”
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“Our partnership with Fremantle is designed to bring the excitement of BetMGM gameplay to life on one of television’s most iconic game shows,” BetMGM chief revenue officer Matt Prevost said in a statement via Variety. he said. “This vision was fulfilled in historic fashion during Vanesa’s record-breaking win in ‘The Lion’s Share.'”
“It’s always an exciting moment when we introduce a new game, and ‘The Lion’s Share’ is already a huge success,” added Erica Gadecki, vice president of partnership solutions at Fremantle.
The record for highest total earnings on a single episode of “The Price Is Right” is $262,743, set by contestant Michael Stouber in the 2019 “Big Money Week” episode.
