Record-Breaking Win on “The Price is Right”
A contestant on “The Price is Right” achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the largest single pricing game award in the show’s long history, which spans over 54 years.
In a special Mother’s Day episode aired on CBS, Vanessa McCaskell, a veteran from Virginia, walked away with more than $240,150 in cash and prizes. This win is especially notable as it comes after her successful gameplay in “The Lion’s Share,” a new high-stakes game produced in collaboration with BetMGM.
From the game, McCaskell collected a whopping $227,500 in cash and a trip to Morocco valued at $12,650. This impressive win topped the previous record of $210,000, held by contestant Kristen Freeman since 2016 during the “Cliff Hangers” game.
“Everything felt surreal, like a dream,” McCaskell shared after the episode, describing her experience from the iconic “Come On Down” moment to playing “The Lion’s Share.” She mentioned feeling both nervous and excited all at once. “Winning over $200,000 will change your life—I’m looking to invest wisely, have a bit of fun, and surprise my mom,” she added.
The Lion’s Share will officially debut in the first episode of the show’s 54th season in September 2025, featuring contestants battling for cash prizes that could reach up to $500,000.
In this game, contestants first gain the opportunity to win up to five balls by guessing grocery prices. They then drop those balls into a wind tunnel to uncover prize amounts, having to choose between taking their winnings or risking it to continue playing.
During her captivating gameplay, McCaskell was cheered on by her daughter from the audience. After winning $2,500 initially, she was ecstatic when her next prize turned out to be $25,000. She made it to the third round and managed to win $100,000, causing her to scream in joy.
Remarkably, with two balls left and a potential prize pool of $127,500, she opted to keep playing. “The last two numbers are my daughter’s birthday,” she revealed to host Drew Carey, pointing out her daughter in the crowd.
When it was confirmed that she’d won an additional $100,000, both McCaskell and her daughter expressed disbelief and excitement. The anticipation was high, as Carey reminded her they were “almost at $250,000” with just one more ball to go.
Yet, when the grand finale revealed a “mother-daughter trip” to Morocco in her winnings, McCaskell couldn’t contain her joy, covering her face in a moment of disbelief. Carey congratulated her warmly, acknowledging the tough journey she’d faced, and wishing her a happy retirement.
According to BetMGM and Fremantle, “The Lion’s Share” is the first custom-branded game in the show’s history and marks the introduction of a new pricing game since 2021.
Earlier this year, BetMGM and Fremantle entered into a partnership allowing BetMGM exclusive rights to utilize “The Price is Right” and “Family Feud” intellectual property for various online gaming experiences. This collaboration aims to bring the thrill of gameplay to one of television’s most iconic game shows, something BetMGM’s Chief Revenue Officer highlighted in a statement.
The record for the highest prize pool in any single episode of “The Price is Right” still stands at $262,743, which was set by contestant Michael Stover during a special 2019 episode.
