Casino City's Friday Five: Changes in Vegas edition

The Lucky Dragon.

It's a mixed bag of news this week, featuring the gloomy reality of Lucky Dragon's (partial) closure as well as a couple of million-dollar stories. Oh, and one of the biggest providers of online poker is finally available in Italy. That's pretty big. Read on for details.

5. New Jersey increases network infrastructure to support DFS
In response to recent changes to New Jersey legislation regarding online fantasy sports, demand has increased for server space, as operators must have physical hardware within Atlantic City limits.

Cue Hammer Fiber Optics. The company will increase its network of infrastructure, modernizing it while simultaneously supporting customers' updated needs.

We're always happy to see progress regarding DFS, as it may mean good things for the vertical's chances across the U.S.

4. Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino shuts down gaming operations
The year-old Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino, located (perhaps inconveniently) off-Strip on Sahara Ave., announced the closure of its gaming and casino restaurant operations yesterday, citing financial difficulties. The hotel and gift shop will remain operational, and the very hungry among us can still grab a bite at the Cha Garden, which now features an expanded menu.

The fact that this news comes shortly before Chinese New Year celebrations is sad indeed, but we can't say it came out of the blue – the casino was reported as unable to bring in a sufficient number of guests as early as just a few months after its December 2016 opening.

We're hoping this dragon will end up lucky in the end and, more like a cat, land on its feet.

3. South Point Hotel hands out over $1 million to employees
Following the tax reform bill's passage, Michael Gaughan, owner of the South Point Hotel Casino and Spa, has announced that he'll be handing out over $1 million to the property's employees. This means the doubling of 2017 bonuses and rescinding the price increase on health insurance.

"We want to be sure that our extended family is taken care of," said Gaughan.

Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

2. Westgate sportsbook hands out first million-dollar SuperContest prize
Is it really a Friday Five if no one wins a million-dollar prize?

That's what we thought. Thankfully, Briceton Branch over at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino was kind enough to oblige our weekly feature by winning $1,327,284 during the 29th annual SuperContest. To make things better, that's the largest such prize the casino has handed out so far.

1. 888 Poker moves into Italy
What's new in Italy? Oh, only the world's second-largest poker network, 888, which made its debut this week.

As well as offering the much-beloved game of classic poker, the operator is also providing players with two poker variants: SNAP Poker, a quick, fast-fold poker game, and Poker BLAST, a four-player game that lasts just eight minutes.

Now, 888 offers a full range of casino, sports betting and gaming content in the country.