Casino City’s Friday Five: Jackpots, fines and Las Vegas casino closings edition

The Las Vegas Strip paid out several six-figure jackpots to lucky guests this week. In addition, we have Fanatics finalizing an acquisition, an Aussie bookmaker receiving a big fine, and a new restaurant opening at a Nevada resort. However, the top news of the week is Tropicana Las Vegas officially closing its doors to make way for a new Major League Baseball ballpark.

Let’s begin with some major wins:

5. Caesars Palace guest continues massive winning streak
It has been an incredible run for one lucky Caesars Rewards member. Last week, the guest won a total of $667,750 in slot jackpots, winning three times in three hours. In the early hours of 4 April, the same guest hit a $692,500 slot jackpot at Caesars Palace.

The very same guest hit another #Jackpot worth $692,500 ??

21+. Gambling problem? Call 800-522-4700. https://t.co/fkg1QnywKo pic.twitter.com/RZHsPrpfbq
— Caesars Palace (@CaesarsPalace) April 4, 2024

Just across the street a few days earlier on 30 March, a guest at The Venetian Las Vegas was dealt a heart royal flush while playing Ultimate Texas Hold'em and won the major tier of the Millionaire Progressive. The guest made the $5 side bet making them eligible to win the mega tier of the resort’s Millionaire Progressive for $534,028.

4. Green Valley Ranch Resort Casino welcomes Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill
On 28 March, Blue Ribbon Restaurants and Station Casinos celebrated Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill’s grand opening at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino in Nevada.

The new 124-seat Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill boasts a modern interior design with wood accents, booths, and a 13-seat sushi counter. Offering high-quality sushi, sashimi, and an array of Japanese specialties, the restaurant brings the acclaimed Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken with Wasabi Honey to Henderson.

Last night marked a new chapter! Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill debuted at Green Valley Ranch Resort & Spa with a bang ????

The awaited restaurant is NOW OPEN. pic.twitter.com/zhGnhQCXDI
— Green Valley Ranch (@GVRcasino) March 29, 2024

3. Fanatics Betting and Gaming closes acquisition of US businesses of PointsBet
On Wednesday, Fanatics Betting and Gaming closed on the final state, Illinois, in its previously announced acquisition of the U.S. businesses of PointsBet.

PointsBet Holdings Limited confirmed receipt of the final installment of the headline purchase price of $225 million and has transferred the remaining entities to FBG, including all of the remaining entities that make up PointsBet’s United States sports wagering, advance-deposit wagering and iGaming operations, Banach Technology.

The acquisition accelerated the company’s growth plans, making the Fanatics Sportsbook available to 95% of the addressable online sports bettor market in the U.S.

By the end of the month, Fanatics Betting and Gaming will be operating online in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, pending regulatory approvals.

2. Punter loses $30k in 35-hour gambling spree
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has fined Australian registered bookmaker MintBet $100,000 for repeated breaches of its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct in relation to extended periods of gambling by a customer.

The customer gambled through their online account with MintBet for 35-hours in a period of approximately 50-hours. By the end of the customer’s betting period, they had placed 327 bets and lost $31,149.

MintBet closed the customer’s account only when the customer actively identified they were experiencing harm from their gambling.

The Commission also found that although MintBet had some systems in place to ensure vulnerable individuals do not experience a loss of control from their gambling, they were inadequate, also breaching a requirement of their Code.

The VGCCC has fined bookmaker MintBet $100,000 for repeat breaches of its Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct after a customer was allowed to gamble for 35-hours over a 50-hour period https://t.co/ha2pWHA2lD pic.twitter.com/lxzbsaTnnD
— Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (@VicGCCC) April 2, 2024

1. Top 10 US openings and closings for April
Since our last edition, there have been a number of announcements from casinos and resorts introducing new amenities and venues. In addition, we have one major closing announcement.

Major expansion at Point Place Casino
In mid-February, the Oneida Indian Nation announced that Point Place Casino in New York would undergo a large-scale expansion that will double its gaming floor, add a new hotel and more.

The expansion will include the new, multi-story hotel with 100 guest rooms and eight suites. Inside the lobby area, guests will enjoy a Perfect Pour Cafe satellite location, while an event area will accommodate meetings, celebrations and other gatherings.

A new restaurant will offer guests American grill-style fare, while dining venue The Burgers of Madison County will add breakfast service alongside its existing lunch and dinner menus.

?? Our team could not be more excited and proud of our expansion announcement!

From a new hotel, restaurant, expanding gaming floor, and more- the place you love just keeps getting better!

Read more about our expansion: https://t.co/Adw5wdEuaY pic.twitter.com/X3M4YEZCjA
— Point Place Casino (@PointPlaceNY) February 19, 2024

Tropicana Las Vegas closes
A major change came to Las Vegas this week and in the fall, Tropicana Las Vegas will be demolished to make room for the new baseball stadium of the Athletics.

The official last day of operation for the resort was Tuesday, just two days short of the resort’s 67th anniversary.

October looks to be the estimated month for demolition of the famous Las Vegas property. To give an idea of how long the Las Vegas resort has been operating, the Tropicana was built in 1957, two years before Wayne Newton began performing in Las Vegas.