Casino City’s Friday Five: Memorial Day Weekend 2024 edition

Memorial Day Weekend has arrived in the U.S. and if you happen to be in Las Vegas, there is a countless amount of entertainment and promotion options for guests to explore.

Before tackling those details, we have some other top stories from the week. Circa Sports’ NFL contests are ready to come back bigger than ever, a major Pai Gow Poker jackpot hit in Downtown Las Vegas, an F1 Arcade will open on the Las Vegas Strip, and New Mexico welcomes several sportsbooks.

Let’s begin at Plaza Hotel and Casino:

5. Pai Gow Poker jackpot of nearly $220,000 won at the Plaza Hotel and Casino
On 20 May, a Las Vegas local won nearly $220,000 playing Pai Gow Poker at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas.

His original buy in was $200, and he hit a 7-card straight flush for a total progressive hit of more than $206,000, plus a Fortune Bonus bet for another $12,500. After his exciting win, the jackpot was reset back to the $10,000 reseed amount.

Congratulations to Shawn on his 7-card straight flush on Pai Gow poker for a total progressive hit of $206,589 as well as a Fortune Bonus bet for another $12,500. The total amount of the win was $219,089. @Jonathanjossel #PlazaLV #Vegas #Onlyvegas #DTLV #Poker pic.twitter.com/7VuwvrqbXa
— Plaza Hotel Casino (@PlazaLasVegas) May 21, 2024

4. Caesars opens retail sportsbooks in New Mexico
Earlier this week, Laguna Development Corporation announced a partnership with Caesars Entertainment to open multiple in-person sportsbooks at LDC gaming properties in New Mexico.

In-person sports wagers are now being accepted at newly opened Caesars Sportsbook locations at Route 66 Casino Hotel and Route 66 Casino Express west of Albuquerque and Dancing Eagle Casino east of Grants.

Route 66 Casino Hotel introduced sports wagering to the property in 2019. Sports betting will be a new addition to Dancing Eagle Casino’s array of casino options that currently feature 400 slots and bingo.

3. F1 Arcade to open at Caesars Palace
F1 Arcade, the first F1 experiential hospitality brand, announced Las Vegas as its third U.S. venue due to open in 2025.

The Las Vegas opening marks the next phase of a U.S. roll-out plan following the opening of its first U.S. location in Boston in April. F1 Arcade will open in Washington, D.C. this fall and plans to open 30 locations globally across the next five years.

Covering over 21,000 square feet, spanning two floors with a terrace offering views of the Las Vegas Strip, the Las Vegas venue will be the largest F1 Arcade to date. Guests will be welcomed to a Formula 1 social racing experience. They will be able to immerse themselves in the world of Formula 1 by getting behind the wheel of the full-motion simulators and racing the world’s most iconic tracks.

The venue will showcase a striking 41-foot-long bar, offering guests the chance to enjoy signature cocktails and ‘Designated Drivers’ mocktails, as well as a variety of globally inspired dishes. The venue will also feature a 3,550 square foot private room.

Las Vegas, are you ready? ???

The world’s first @f1 experiential hospitality brand is set to open at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace ahead of the #LasVegasGP in 2025.

Join the waitlist ?? https://t.co/rCZvf6Ci5k @F1LasVegas #LasVegasJustGotFaster #F1ArcadeUSA #F1Arcade #F1 pic.twitter.com/8pFIjnZz38
— F1® Arcade USA (@F1ArcadeUSA) May 20, 2024

2. Circa Sports’ NFL contests returning with record prizes
Circa Sports, the Nevada-based sports betting brand, has brought back the popular professional football contests Circa Million VI and Circa Survivor with its biggest payout yet – $16 million, no rake.

For the 2024-2025 season, Circa Survivor will return with a $10 million prize guarantee and Circa Million VI with a $6 million guarantee. Sign-ups begin today at 9 a.m. PST at all Circa Sports Nevada locations and are open until 7 September at 2 p.m. during the first week of the professional football season.

“This year, it’s go big or go home with the Circa Sports contests,” said Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens. “We only have ourselves to top so we’re back with the biggest guarantee yet. With a whopping $16 million, no rake, up for grabs, we are excited to see what craziness this football season holds.”

The Biggest Football Contests are back!!
$16 Million Guaranteed!!

Sign-ups begin tomorrow at 9AM. For more info, visit https://t.co/JUwLKLLuiD #CircaSportsMillion VI#CircaSurvivor #Vegas pic.twitter.com/PXSulN0McG
— Derek Stevens (@DerekJStevens) May 23, 2024

1. Las Vegas to start the summer with filled Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend signals the start of the summer, a season that offers some of the best entertainment and experiences in Las Vegas. This year is no different, offering a stellar lineup of concerts, comedy, nightlife and pool parties.

Below are just a few examples of what Sin City will bring to guests:

Country star Shania Twain offers a new residency at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas on Saturday, 25 May and Sunday, 26 May.

Resident stand-up Sebastian Maniscalco takes the stage at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday, 25 May and Sunday, 26 May.

Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World Las Vegas offers sets from Cash Cash (Friday, 24 May), Kaskade (Saturday, 25 May), and T-Pain (Sunday, 26 May).

Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas features a set from DJ Pauly D on Saturday, 25 May.

Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell features performances from Wiz Khalifa (Friday, 24 May) and Moneybagg Yo (Sunday, 26 May).

The two-time World Champion Las Vegas Aces face the Indiana Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Saturday, 25 May.