Casino City’s Friday Five: Circa Survivor and Maine iGaming edition

Maine broke headlines yesterday after the governor announced it would become the eighth state to legalize online casinos. That wasn’t the only big news in the gambling space this week. Circa Survivor crowned five champions, an Arizona casino announced a smoke-free lounge opening, a Las Vegas resort began expansion plans, and a record-breaking jackpot win at Encore Boston Harbor.

Let’s begin with a millionaire from the Massachusetts casino:

5. $1.6 million win at Encore Boston Harbor
A guest at Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Massachusetts, won a record-setting $1,620,355 jackpot on New Year’s Day while playing Royal 9 Baccarat.

After placing a single side bet, the player triggered the progressive prize, marking the largest jackpot win ever awarded at the property.

4. Cliff Castle Casino to open smoke-free gaming lounge
Cliff Castle Casino Hotel in Arizona is ready for the grand opening of the new Smoke-Friendly Gaming Parlor & Lounge.

Opening 16 January, the new lounge spans 5,345 square feet and features 146 slot machines, the latest electronic table games, and a dedicated luxury bar with in-bar gaming, including the IGT’s bar-top games.

3. Durango Casino Resort begins third phase of expansion
Earlier this week, Durango Casino Resort in Las Vegas began construction on the third phase of its expansion on the north side of the property, marking the next major milestone in the destination’s long-term plan.

The expansion will include 275,000 additional square feet to the podium adding a mix of new gaming, dining, entertainment and recreational amenities.

Following the recent debut of Durango’s Phase II south expansion, which featured over 25,000 square feet of new casino space including a new high-limit slot room and bar and a new covered parking structure, the next phase of development will introduce an expanded casino floor with approximately 400 additional slot machines, a 36-lane bowling facility, luxury movie theaters, multiple new restaurant concepts and food hall outlets, and several new entertainment venues.

As some of you may have noticed…trucks, cones, and fences are going up as we begin our North Expansion! ???????

Our South Parking Garage has the most direct parking-to-casino access. As always, valet and self parking is free. ?? pic.twitter.com/DO2rrm2kcI
— Durango Casino & Resort (@durangoresortlv) January 8, 2026

2. Circa Sports pays out over $31 million in NFL contests
Circa Sports’ professional football contests, Circa Survivor, Circa Million VII and the new luxury contest Circa Grandissimo came to a record-breaking close this season with a $31 million pay out amongst the winners.

The largest prize pot in history of $18,718,000 was awarded to five winners of Circa Survivor, who all went 20-0 during the 2025-2026 season. Each winning entry will take home $3,743,600. Six entries went into the final week of the season still alive.

The five winners, Dylan W, GaryA, Juicy Kewchi, Kick Your Knees Up and Real Bro, each went 20-0 during the season and will each take home the biggest checks ever given out in the Circa Sports football contests. The previous highest was for the two 2022 Circa Survivor winners, who each received checks for $3,066,500.

Circa Million VII was also decided last weekend. Contestant Coynehop took home the Circa Million VII full season, first-place prize of $1 million and a coveted, handmade Circa Sports blue jacket.

#CircaSurvivor 2025????
Congratulations to our five 20-0 Winners!
They will split ??$18,718,000??, giving them each a total of ??$3,743,600??!
What a Great Season... see you all next year!
??https://t.co/FP61WnzaHF pic.twitter.com/7pg5mK0QCI
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) January 5, 2026

1. Maine becomes eighth state to legalize online casinos
Yesterday, Governor Janet Mills announced her intention to allow LD 1164, An Act to Create Economic Opportunity for the Wabanaki Nations, to become law. The bill authorizes Maine's tribal governments to operate online gambling in Maine to support tribal communities and economic development.

The bill follows the Governor's signing of LD 585 in 2022, a historic agreement that authorized the Tribes to operate online sports wagering in Maine.

Leaders of Maine's Wabanaki Nations supported the Governor's decision, calling it a significant measure that will improve their economic sovereignty and standard of living for tribal members across the state.

However, the National Association Against iGaming felt the opposite about the decision and expressed those feelings in a statement released yesterday.