Casino City’s Friday Five: Caesars takeover and WSOP kickoff edition

The World Series of Poker 2026 edition is officially underway in Las Vegas, and we have the first bracelet winner of the tournament. In addition, we have a hospitality giant acquiring Caesars Entertainment, a jackpot in California, Arizona opening a license application window, and Rhode Island going after prediction markets. Let’s start today with a major win: 5. $1,097,506 blackjack win lands at Jamul Casino Earlier this week, Jamul Casino Resort guest Myrna hit a life-changing jackpot while playing blackjack. Wagering just $5, the player landed the STAX Super 4, a royal flush (Diamonds) jackpot. The winning hand featured a Queen and Jack of Diamonds for the player, while the dealer revealed an Ace and King of Diamonds to complete the royal flush combination, resulting in an incredible $1,097,506 payout. 4. Arizona to accept new event wagering license applications The Arizona Department of Gaming announced that it will begin accepting new applications for event wagering licenses on 26 June. The application window for the event will close on 10 July. Applicants must submit their completed applications within this timeframe to be considered for a license. Since the launch of legal event wagering and sports betting in Arizona in 2021, people have wagered $33.9 billion, generating approximately $179.9 million in event wagering privilege fees for the state. The 2021 enabling legislation allows for a maximum of 20 event wagering operator licenses, with 10 reserved for Arizona Tribes and 10 reserved for Arizona Sports Franchises.

?? NOTICE: The Arizona Department of Gaming will begin accepting applications for event wagering licenses on June 26, 2026.

View the full press release here: https://t.co/g9Ogzm59CZ pic.twitter.com/Mu68Wlel83
— Arizona Department of Gaming (@AzGaming) May 27, 2026

3. Rhode Island AG targets prediction markets Last week, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced a lawsuit against Kalshi and Polymarket in Rhode Island Superior Court, asking for a declaration that Kalshi’s and Polymarket’s sports-related “event contracts” amount to sports betting that is subject to Rhode Island state gambling laws. As alleged in the complaint, Kalshi and Polymarket not only function as betting platforms but also adopt the design and terminology of traditional gambling operations. The complaint seeks a declaration that Kalshi’s and Polymarket’s offering of sports-related “events contracts” on “prediction markets” is “gambling” that is subject to the constitutional voter referendum requirement, as well as “casino gaming” and “online sports wagering,” which are subject to Rhode Island State Lottery’s (RILOT) regulation and operational control. 2. WSOP 2026 is underway and first bracelet awarded On Tuesday, day one of the 57th annual World Series of Poker began at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. A massive 100 gold bracelets will be won at this year’s event, and the first has already been claimed. Event #03: $500 Industry Employees No-Limit Hold’em saw casino dealer Jerome Nepp, who only had $613 in career earnings, outlast the field and win $64,083 and the first gold bracelet of WSOP 2026. Other events are also underway, including the $550 No-Limit Hold'em Mini Mystery Millions and the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed.

From casino dealer to WSOP champion!

Jerome Neppl is the first WSOP bracelet winner of the summer, taking down Event #03: $500 Industry Employees No-Limit Hold’em for $64,083.

Coming into the event with just one recorded live cash and $613 in career earnings, Neppl turned his… pic.twitter.com/HQPILVwOuy
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 29, 2026

1. Caesars Entertainment to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment Yesterday, Caesars Entertainment announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Fertitta Entertainment in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $17.6 billion, including the assumption of approximately $11.9 billion of Caesars’ outstanding debt. The combination of Caesars and Fertitta Entertainment brings together two iconic platforms to create a suite of gaming, entertainment, and restaurant brands. The combined company will offer guests an array of destinations and experiences, all connected by the Caesars Rewards loyalty network. Guests will enjoy access to a suite of offerings – 60 casino resorts and gaming facilities, online gaming including sports betting, iCasino, and Poker through Caesars’ digital platform, retail sports betting at over 200 third-party locations through the William Hill brand, and over 600 Fertitta Entertainment outlets, including Landry’s full-service restaurants, plus multiple amusement, entertainment, and aquarium venues.