Casino City’s Friday Five: Bans, openings and record jackpots edition

We had major news this week as the largest U.S. online casino jackpot was won at DraftKings Casino. We also had mix of enforcement and growth this week in the gaming industry, as evidenced by the confiscation of gambling machines in Florida, Texas Lottery courier restrictions, a California resort development, and Michigan's record-setting revenue.

Let’s begin with a seizure in The Sunshine State:

5. Illegal gambling machines and cash seized in Florida
This month, the Florida Gaming Control Commission took enforcement action against illegal gambling operations at seven convenience stores in North and Central Florida.

Notices to Appear were issued for the store’s owners or managers, including charges of possession of slot machines, as well as charges for keeping a gambling house.

It is illegal to operate slot machines or any other unauthorized gambling machines at an unlicensed facility in the state. Agents seized 35 machines from the seven locations, along with $19,131.87 cash from inside the machines.

“Standalone illegal casinos aren’t the only ones offering illegal slot machine gaming in this state,” explained FGCC Acting Executive Director Ross Marshman. “Business franchisees, owners, and managers need to be aware of the law. If someone approaches your legitimate business… pic.twitter.com/7a5uO0TBZj
— Florida Gaming Control Commission (@FLGamingControl) February 25, 2025

4. Jamul Casino to welcome new hotel tower
Jamul Casino, located about 30 minutes east from San Diego, will open the doors to its anticipated boutique hotel tower this spring, featuring 200 rooms including 52 spacious suites and a curated collection of leisure experiences.

Among the many amenities will be an approximately 4,800-square-foot restaurant with views of the surrounding area, retail space, meeting and banquet facilities, a full-service spa and salon with an outdoor deck, a fitness center, and an 11,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck with a jetted hot tub, cabanas and a rooftop bar.

3. Texas Lottery moves to ban lottery courier service
On Monday, Texas Lottery Commission Executive Director Ryan Mindell announced that lottery ticket courier services are not allowed under Texas law and that the agency will move forward with proposed rule amendments prohibiting lottery courier services within the state.

The policy is effective immediately and aligns with legislative efforts to address serious concerns raised by players and state leadership regarding the integrity, security, honesty and fairness of lottery operations.

A retailer that works in concert with a courier service would have their lottery ticket sales agent license revoked. The rule amendments will be formally proposed by agency staff to the Commission board at an open meeting scheduled for 4 March, with the intent for the amendments to be adopted at an April open meeting following a 30-day public comment period.

NEWS: Texas Lottery Moves To Ban Lottery Courier Services

Full News Release & Policy Statement: https://t.co/Bc07zZw6Rw pic.twitter.com/ZyLPnXqSgc
— Texas Lottery (@TexasLottery) February 24, 2025

2. Michigan Gaming sets new revenue records
Michigan commercial and tribal operators reported a combined $331.2 million total internet gaming gross receipts and gross sports betting receipts in January, an increase of 25.4% compared to December.

January iGaming gross receipts totaled $248.2 million, the highest to date. The previous high was $244.0 million recorded in December 2024. January gross sports betting receipts totaled $83.0 million, which is an increase from the $20.2 million recorded in December.

Total internet sports betting handle at $555.2 million was down by 7.1% from the $597.7 million handle recorded in December 2024.

1. DraftKings player wins largest online casino jackpot in US history
On Wednesday, DraftKings Casino awarded $9.28 million, the largest online casino jackpot in U.S. history, to one lucky DraftKings player in Michigan.

The historic jackpot, which started at $1,000,000 and has been growing since February 2024, was won on a $.20 bet playing Irish Pot Luck.

?? THE LARGEST JACKPOT IN U.S. IGAMING HISTORY HAS HIT ON DRAFTKINGS CASINO ??

A very lucky player in Michigan hit a jackpot of over $9.2 MILLION DOLLARS while playing Irish Pot Luck ?? pic.twitter.com/1PEp0Q4D3s
— DraftKings Casino (@DKCasino) February 27, 2025