Casino City’s Friday Five: Massive jackpot wins and a new casino resorts edition

This week brought big news in the gaming world: a new California resort announced its opening date, Bally’s revealed its vision for its Las Vegas property, and players celebrated both six-figure and seven-figure jackpot wins. Meanwhile, the U.K. issued a substantial regulatory fine, keeping the industry on its toes.

Let’s start with one of the prettiest hands in poker:

5. Thunder Valley Casino guest wins royal flush jackpot
Last Friday evening, a lucky guest at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in California transformed a routine hand of Criss Cross Poker into a royal flush in diamonds, capturing $192,171.

Donald hit it big on Criss Cross Poker! Now that's a win. ?? pic.twitter.com/AFBhQoHnMw
— Thunder Valley Casino Resort (@Thunder_Valley) September 27, 2025

4. Empire City Casino awards nearly $3 million win
A New Rochelle resident hit a $2,995,532 progressive jackpot on a Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine at Empire City Casino in New York on 25 September.

The massive prize marks the largest jackpot in Empire City’s history.

Just a few months ago, the same guest won more than $46,000 at Empire City on another machine.

3. £240,000 fine for Petfre from UKGC
The gambling business will pay a £240,000 penalty following a regulatory finding that features in some of its online slot games breached industry standards.

Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited, which runs betfred.com and oddsking.com, operated a selection of slot games that failed to meet the requirements of the remote technical standards.

Failings included hosting games which failed to display the consumer’s net position and games which celebrated losses as wins.

Petfre (Gibraltar) Limited will pay a £240,000 fine. It follows regulatory action that found features in some of its online slot games breached industry standards.

To read more about this, visit our website ?? https://t.co/uWiZ5p0VpG pic.twitter.com/ZUA7Qyvlj7
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) October 1, 2025

2. Hard Rock Casino Tejon announces opening date
Hard Rock International, in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, announced that Hard Rock Tejon in California will officially open 13 November.

When the doors open, guests will experience a 150,000-square-foot gaming floor featuring more than 2,000 slot machines, more than 50 live table games including blackjack, Ultimate Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker, and exclusive VIP rooms for blackjack and baccarat.

The property will also showcase a collection of authentic music memorabilia, telling the stories of iconic artists.

Dining and nightlife will feature the world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe, Deep Cut Steak & Seafood, and YOUYU, alongside a Marketplace Food Hall.

1. Bally’s Corporation unveils vision for Bally’s Las Vegas
Last week, Bally’s Corporation announced plans for Bally’s Las Vegas, a new entertainment resort destination set to rise on the Las Vegas Strip at the former site of the Tropicana Las Vegas.

The project will share a 35-acre campus with the new Las Vegas Athletics Major League Baseball ballpark and it is being submitted for entitlements to Clark County and is expected to commence development in the first half of 2026.

Bally’s Las Vegas will feature two hotel towers, an entertainment venue with a seating capacity of 2,500, and more than 500,000 square feet of retail, dining, and entertainment offerings.

The resort will also include a casino and a VIP experience with direct access to the ballpark.