Gambler Lopez Wins $2.4 Million Jackpot

Monday April 05, 2004 05:39 PM EDT

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And we all thought Ben was the big-time gambler.

Turns out, it's Guadalupe Lopez -- Jennifer's mom -- who's been blessed by Lady Luck.

At 7:40 p.m. last Saturday night, Mrs. Lopez made a $3 bet on a "Wheel of Fortune" slot machine at the Borgata hotel and casino in Atlantic City -- and won a jackpot worth a cool $2.4 million, an insider tells PEOPLE.com.

Guadalupe immediately tried to reach her daughter to share the good news, but J. Lo wasn't answering her phone. The "Wedding Planner" star was in Los Angeles attending Nickelodeon's 17th annual Kids Choice Awards. Alas, J.Lo's luck wasn't as good: She lost out to Hilary Duff as favorite female singer.

The ironic twist in the story is that Affleck's gambling was reportedly one of the points of dispute in his relationship with Lopez. But evidently nothing was lost on J.Lo's mom. Our source says that Ben taught Guadalupe everything she knows about casino play.

According to a press release from the Borgata, the winner was quoted as saying, "It was divine intervention. I have a great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe ... and had just looked up at the $2 million and said a little prayer to her when I hit the jackpot. Our Lady really looks out for me."

She added, "When I won, my knees started shaking and I started yelling and screaming."