Casino City’s Friday Five: Las Vegas experience edition

After covering the final table for the 2018 World Series of Poker Main Event, our own Gary Trask gave us his insights on new things you should be on the lookout for while in Las Vegas. This week, we also have news on a California casino beginning a major expansion, an online casino coming out with eight new games and several jackpot winners.

Let’s start with the jackpots, shall we?

5. Dallas resident wins $3.2 million at Choctaw Casino
Placing a $3 bet on a Megabucks Double Diamond slot machine doesn’t sound like it can lead to a major payout at first, but it can. A Dallas-area resident hit the largest payout to date at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, OK. The payout came out to $3.2 million, to a man who was visiting the resort for the first time and had brought his family with him.

4. Three guests win jackpots at Sycuan Casino
The California casino had three lucky players hit jackpots in July, each earning over $20,000.

Club Sycuan member Esmeraldo R. won a $21,088.58 jackpot while playing the Dancing Drums slot machine.

Dancing Drums got Esmeraldo dancing after this $21,088.58 #JACKPOT at Sycuan Casino! pic.twitter.com/TxnTIiE1bj
— Sycuan Casino ?? (@SycuanCasino) July 20, 2018

Alejandra C. won $20,597.85 while playing the Quick Hit Platinum slot machine.

#JACKPOT!! Alejandra is going home a winner after this $20,597 Quick Hit Platinum win! pic.twitter.com/RarAkmSAaZ
— Sycuan Casino ?? (@SycuanCasino) July 16, 2018

The final jackpot winner was Patricia, who took home $29,799.14 while playing the Lightning Link slot machine.

Lightning Link strikes again for this $20,715.80 #JACKPOT at Sycuan Casino! Congratulations, Patricia! pic.twitter.com/5MVBMH444A
— Sycuan Casino ?? (@SycuanCasino) July 16, 2018

3. Videoslots releases eight new slot games
The online casino is bringing players eight new slot games. They are Knights of Gold, Sizzling Spins, Penguin City, Soldier of Rome, Fairytale Legends: Mirror Mirror, Ambiance, Best Things in Life and Rise of Egypt.

Videoslots features more than 2,000 different casino games and continues to bring new slot games to its portfolio. These eight slot games are being introduced on Videoslots just two weeks after the online casino added three more slot games.

2. San Manuel Casino breaks ground on expansion
The San Manuel Casino, which is owned and operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, has officially begun its expansion. The project will include the California casino’s first onsite hotel, a world-class entertainment venue and an array of state-of-the-art amenities, including new dining experiences and retail and event spaces.
General Manager, Loren Gill said, “We are grateful that our guests have made San Manuel Casino a top entertainment destination in the region, and our team looks forward to providing a world-class experience as we continue to grow.”

Dawn of a New Era https://t.co/JZqpRPXHav
— San Manuel Casino (@SanManuelCasino) July 26, 2018

1. Top 10 new experiences I tried in Las Vegas
Our own Managing Editor Gary Trask was in attendance for the World Series of Poker Main Event final table.

While he was there, he took in some new encounters he had with Vegas. Gary touches on the new guests rooms at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino & Hotel and his three-night stay at Palace Station Hotel and Casino.

Let the good times roll!! ??????#HarrahsVegas #ComeOutAndPlay #VivaLasVegas pic.twitter.com/Fci0aRuTgc
— Harrah's Las Vegas (@HarrahsVegas) July 9, 2018

Gary, who may not be a big gamer, got over to a new edition to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for The Wall Esports Gaming Lounge. This area is the first permanent esports venue for Caesars Entertainment.

Hearthstone in action at The Wall Gaming Lounge inside The Rio hotel and casino!#wallgaming #Caesars #Alienware #Nvidia #lucidsound #Blizzard #Hearthstone #gaming #esports #lasvegas #vegas #lounge #pc pic.twitter.com/L6re9GdN4w
— The Wall Esports Gaming Lounge (@TheWallLounge) July 22, 2018

We were also able to get to the Encore Resort Las Vegas sportsbook for some of the semifinals of the World Cup. However, the top new experience for Gary on the Strip was the Oyster Bar at Palace Station. Waiting until 2:30 a.m. for a seat was something he didn’t regret because of the quality of the Oyster Bar.

Finally made it to the renowned Oyster Bar @palacestation. Well worth the wait! Thanks for another rock-solid Las Vegas recommendation, @beatingthebook @MarcoInVegas @MeltzVegas pic.twitter.com/BoiapRoXxp
— Gary Trask (@casinocityGT) July 12, 2018

Don’t miss out on all of these opportunities waiting for you in Vegas!