Casino City's Friday Five: Skill and social games edition

The world of gambling is ever-changing . . . you already knew that, of course. But we have some fresh news we need to unload on you, anyway. Take, for instance, a free-to-play live dealer casino. If that doesn't interest you, how about some skill-based games over at Caesars' properties? Failing that, what about the upcoming online gaming site from the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma?

Well, see for yourself.

5. Cleebo Games launches free-to-play live dealer casino
We don't know what a "Cleebo" is, exactly, but we're pretty excited about this new live dealer social gaming platform.

Players can take part in blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other popular table games with live Las Vegas dealers. Instead of real money, the casino will use Cleebo Chips as currency. The focus, of course, is on social interaction and community.

Is this the first of many such casinos? Time will tell.

4. GameCo brings arcade-style gaming to Caesars Entertainment
Skill-based gambling continues its takeover of the industry as it spreads to Caesars properties across the country. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort offers three varieties of video game gambling machines from GameCo, and the arcade-style cabinets are scheduled to be installed at Harrah's Resort Southern California and other properties in Nevada.

Skill-based video game gambling machines – otherwise known as "the next big thing" – busted onto the scene in 2015 and have been gaining steam ever since. They've secured a licensing agreement with Bandai Namco, DJ Steve Aoki and have been deployed at properties in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.

Where will they appear next?

Watch @SteveAoki playing "NeonDream" on Rolling Stone’s Glixel - stay tuned to find out when it hits casino floors!" https://t.co/XRxvFs1FqC pic.twitter.com/hVEnx4KCbW
— GameCo Inc. (@GameCoInc) September 21, 2017

3.Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma obtains Isle of Man gaming license

Less than two years after the tribe announced its aim to operate an international online gaming site called PokerTribe, it has obtained a gaming license in the Isle of Man.

Though no launch date for the site has been announced, the tribe is working to finalize the transfer of online gaming assets, including the software licensing agreement, to the Universal Entertainment Group.

PokerTribe originally launched in May 2016 as a free-to-play social casino.

2. Mohegan Sun commemorates Exhibition Center construction milestone
This week, leaders of Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribe gathered for a ceremonial topping-off to celebrate the progress of the casino's new Exposition Center, slated to open in 2018.

The $80 million project will house some of the largest meeting and convention spaces in the area, with 240,000 net square feet, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, pre-function space, a 132,000-square-foot Expo Center, loads of meeting rooms and outdoor gathering space.

1. Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas making subtle but important alterations
We've heard good things about Vegas's first ground-up development in six years, and we're happy to report, as their first-year anniversary closes in, that they're still on the up-and-up. In an environment where many casinos seem static, Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino means to keep moving forward.

The Asia-themed casino is making improvements to its VIP area, moving a few restaurants and continuing to offer the sort of laid-back experience that many have come to expect. These changes come at the behest of patrons, whose wants and needs can be hard to predict and quixotic.

Keep an eye on this one.

Secret Garden Cocktail ?? #team5 #MakingVegasHappen @luckydragonlv pic.twitter.com/WRaCYHwZxI
— Jesselbear (@Jesselbear) September 7, 2017