Casino City’s Friday Five: Goodbye Mirage edition

The date is now set for when we will all have to say farewell to one of the most iconic Las Vegas Strip resorts, The Mirage. Elsewhere this week in the casino world, We saw a big Three Card Poker win hit on the Strip, a new sportsbook debut at a Henderson resort, and commercial gaming in the U.S. set yet another record. Let’s not forget the Preakness takes place tomorrow evening as well.

Let’s begin at The Venetian Las Vegas:

5. Massive Three Card Poker win at The Venetian Las Vegas
Last Friday, a guest from Connecticut was playing Three Card Poker at The Venetian Las Vegas when he was dealt a spade royal flush activating the mega tier of the Millionaire Progressive.

He made the $5 side bet making him eligible to win the mega tier of the resort’s Millionaire Progressive for $1,904,062.

4. Sunset Station Casino unveils new sportsbook
Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson unveiled a transformation of the property’s new race and sportsbook yesterday morning. Former Raiders running back, Napoleon McCallum, cast the first bet on the Raiders winning the 2025 Super Bowl.

The 12,000 square-foot STN Sportsbook offers a new look and welcomes in the next era of sportsbook experiences with a panoramic 152-foot LED screen wall, tiered VIP seating, lounge areas, a bar scene, high-definition screens and plenty of betting options for guests.

The audiovisual experience features a 152-foot LED wall (totaling over 48 million pixels), comprising of seven wide video screens that allow for multiple event viewing with up to 30 feeds. Over 40 additional LED TVs placed throughout the venue offer prime viewing and four separate audio zones provide surround sound, while a 144-foot odds ticker wraps around the bar for the latest odds at a glance.

The game has changed. Ushering in the next era of Vegas Sportsbooks.

Introducing the all-new STN Sportsbook at Sunset Station, a sports destination that must be seen to be believed.

Opening 5.16 at 9:30 a.m. pic.twitter.com/rBvIT0fWVL
— Sunset Station (@SunsetStation_) May 15, 2024

3. Frankie Dettori seeks first Triple Crown win in Preakness
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who has excelled on the international stage while also winning 15 Breeders’ Cup races in the U.S., is aiming to add a win in a Triple Crown event to his resume.

The 53-year-old reinsman figures to have his best shot at doing just that tomorrow when he rides Imagination in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

It will not only be Dettori’s first Preakness, but also his first visit to Pimlico.

“I’m obviously super excited,” Dettori said. “He’s a very honest horse. He’s trained by a Hall of Famer, Bob Baffert. My horse is tough and he’s consistent. But I’m not taking anything for granted. Don’t forget, we are taking on the Kentucky Derby winner [Mystik Dan].”

Following Muth’s defection Wednesday morning due to an elevated temperature, Mystik Dan was the 5-2 favorite on Friday morning’s line.

2. Q1 2024 US commercial gaming revenue sets new quarterly high
U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached a quarterly record of $17.67 billion in Q1 2024, the industry’s 13th consecutive quarter of growth, according to the American Gaming Association’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker.

The quarter was punctuated by March revenue of $6.09 billion, the industry’s second-highest grossing month ever.

Across the country, 11 state gaming markets set new quarterly revenue records, including Pennsylvania and New York, two of the nation's largest commercial gaming markets.

Both retail and online gaming saw annual growth in Q1 2024, though at slower rates than in previous quarters. Retail gaming accounted for 70.7% of total revenue while online gaming represented its largest share ever, 29.3%.

?? NEW: U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached a quarterly record of $17.67B in Q1 2024, the industry’s 13th consecutive quarter of growth, according to AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker.

Release ?? https://t.co/8s3HUIR6pl pic.twitter.com/GC1rMI4P2h
— American Gaming Association (@AmericanGaming) May 16, 2024

1. End date set for The Mirage
After a 34-year history on the Las Vegas Strip, The Mirage will have its doors close on 17 July as its new owners, Hard Rock International, announced earlier this week.

Once The Mirage closes, a new era is set to begin at that location. Hard Rock plans to construct a guitar-shaped hotel that will reach 700 feet high. The iconic Mirage Volcano will also be torn down in order to add space for new rooms. Any guests who have reservations at the resort after 14 July will be refunded and have those reservations cancelled.

In addition, the resort will undergo a complete refurbishment with anticipation of the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas spanning over 80 acres to debut in 2027.

Hard Rock International also mentioned that 3,000 employees will be part of July layoffs which will lead to $80 million in severance.

After 34 amazing years, The Mirage Hotel & Casino will be ceasing operations on July 17, 2024. We would like to thank all team members at The Mirage for their incredible commitment and helping us provide memorable experiences for our guests. https://t.co/FyFoJdbrTM
— The Mirage (@TheMirageLV) May 15, 2024