Casino City’s Friday Five: Las Vegas jackpots and resort news edition

Not long after the record-setting World Series of Poker Main Event came to a close, details about the WSOP Paradise event were unveiled. In addition, we have updates on a few Las Vegas resorts, a restaurant opening at a Wisconsin casino, a new property welcomed into the MGM Resorts loyalty program, and a six-figure win on the Strip.

Let’s kick this week off with a life-changing amount of money:

5. Caesars Palace guest walks away with six-figure win
A Caesars Palace guest left Las Vegas with a jackpot and a Rolls Royce after hitting it big last weekend.

On 28 July, Ashwin of South Dakota won $203,609 after hitting a mega progressive jackpot playing Mississippi Stud. Patel was visiting with his wife to purchase a 2018 Rolls Royce Ghost and landed the jackpot with a Royal Flush after two hours of playing at the poker table.

He plans on using the winnings to enjoy a future trip back to Caesars Palace.

Congrats to @CaesarsRewards member Ashwin P. of Sioux Falls, S.D., who won $203,609 after hitting a mega progressive jackpot playing Mississippi Stud poker. He plans on using the winnings to enjoy a future trip back to the Palace.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 800-522-4700. pic.twitter.com/MVGlvtARPP
— Caesars Palace (@CaesarsPalace) July 31, 2023

4. Rock & Brews opens at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino
Rock & Brews restaurant with Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS opened at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Wisconsin announced on Tuesday.

The 6,000 square-foot restaurant seats up to 200 guests with private dining capabilities, offers 48 taps pouring domestic and import beers, as well as Sprecher Root Beer, and a stage for live entertainment.

The grand opening featured performances by cover band PRISS, food, and ticket giveaways for KISS’ upcoming End of Tour concert coming to Crandon this September.

It's official! At 3 PM, Rock and Brews is open to the public! ??

?? Also open today: 2 gaming areas, Cream City Coffee Company, and Potawatomi Provisions upstairs, Gilded Cleaver downstairs in Potawatomi Marketplace. pic.twitter.com/0ahMmFPfCu
— Potawatomi Hotel & Casino (@paysbig) August 1, 2023

3. The Cosmo to join MGM Rewards loyalty program
On Tuesday, MGM Resorts announced The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will transition from its Identity loyalty program to the company's MGM Rewards loyalty program beginning 1 February 2024, unlocking the ability for members to earn and redeem points across the company's 20 U.S. destinations.

Additionally, beginning in February with the program's integration, all MGM Rewards members will have the ability to earn and use MGM Rewards Points, Slot Dollars and Tier Credits across their experiences at The Cosmopolitan.

"Welcoming The Cosmopolitan into MGM Rewards is an important and exciting milestone in the evolution of our loyalty program experience," said Steve Zanella, Chief Commercial Officer for MGM Resorts. "The Cosmopolitan will add an entirely new set of ways for gaming and non-gaming customers to enjoy all of the unforgettable, exceptional moments MGM Resorts and Las Vegas have to offer."

2. This Week in Gambling: Updates of The Mirage, Hard Rock and Dream Las Vegas
The plan to rip out the iconic volcano attraction at The Mirage and turn it into a guitar-shaped hotel as part of the transition into the Hard Rock is in limbo at the moment. The Mirage isn’t going anywhere, at least for another four, possibly five years as it seems the transition from the Mirage into the Hard Rock was just a bit more complicated than everyone involved anticipated.

Elsewhere in Sin City, The Dream Hotel and Casino project, located on the south end of the Strip, is halted at the moment due to lack of funds, which is a nice way to say the owners are $25 million short to finish the resort. Talks for adding additional funding are underway as ownership tries to secure the money to complete the $550 million project. In the end, the goal of the owners is to turn this five-acre lot into a 530-room, 20-story resort that includes a spa, several restaurants and nightclubs, a convention center and a casino.

Despite the current issues, there is still a lot of confidence that Dream Las Vegas will be completed and welcoming guests by the end of 2024.

1. WSOP Paradise chooses Atlantis Bahamas for winter tournament
On 31 July, Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino announced it was selected as the host venue for the newest live tournament poker series – WSOP Paradise.

The tournament series, which will feature 15 bracelet events, takes place at Atlantis from 3-14 December, and builds on the momentum generated by the recently-completed, record-breaking 54th annual WSOP held in Las Vegas. WSOP Paradise will be headlined by $50 million in guaranteed prize pools, including a $5,000 Main Event with a $15 million total prize pool guarantee as well as a $1,500 Mystery Bounty with a $5 million guarantee.

This wasn’t the only time that the World Series of Poker made headlines this week. Just a few days earlier than this announcement, the schedules were announced for WSOP Europe and the international circuit. The 2023 WSOP Europe returns to King's Casino in Czech Republic, beginning 25 October while WSOP-C kicked off its 2023-24 international run in London last week.

WSOP Paradise at @atlantisbahamas will run between December 3-14, featuring 15 bracelet events and $50 Million in guarantees.

We realize it appears Atlantis is already sold out. This is due to our massive block reserved for poker players at discounted rates. Information on how… pic.twitter.com/xZtEj2bci9
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 19, 2023