Casino City’s Friday Five: New casinos opening edition

This week’s gambling news entails a new Korean resort casino announcing its opening plans in 2023. We also have another casino in California ready to welcome guests for the first time later this month. Before we discuss some details on those properties we have some other stories to cover first. In addition to those announcements, we have two major jackpot winners and 888 Holdings making progress in its acquisition of William Hill’s non-U.S. assets.

Let’s begin with a six-figure payout:

5. Seminole Classic Casino pays $224,836 slot jackpot
A lucky guest scored almost a quarter of a million dollars on a slot machine at Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

The guest was playing the AGS Diamond Lotto slot machine around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 November, when the $224,836.50 jackpot hit. The progressive was reset to $100,000 after the big win.

4. Sycuan Casino Resort guest wins $1 million on slot machine
A Club Sycuan member and Chula Vista resident won a massive $1,157,041 jackpot while playing the Monopoly Money Grab slot machine at Sycuan Casino Resort in California.

“To be able to witness one of our guests win over a million dollars is truly an incredible experience,” said Rob Cinelli, general manager at Sycuan Casino Resort. “The holiday season at Sycuan is always a very special time, but there’s no better way to celebrate than when our guests win life-changing jackpots. A big congratulations to Juan and to all of the other winners we’ve had this year.”

??$1,157,041.04 JACKPOT! ??
Mr. Monopoly made it rain money ??on a lucky Sycuan player this weekend when they hit the big one on @ScientificGames Monopoly Money Grab and became the next millionaire! ???? #homeofthejackpots #iwonatsycuan #monopoly #scientificgames pic.twitter.com/FoXOz7VSHr
— Sycuan Casino Resort ?? (@SycuanCasino) November 28, 2021

3. Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel announces grand opening date
Located about an hour drive east from Los Angeles, Yaamava' Resort & Casino at San Manuel (formerly San Manuel Casino) announced that the grand opening of its highly anticipated luxury resort will take place on Monday, 13 December, with a VIP invitation-only celebration for Tribal citizens and special guests.

The 432-room hotel is the latest addition to the tribe’s award-winning California casino.

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino will host a public promotion with prizes valued at more than $120,000 on 13 December, between 1 p.m. and midnight. Kicking off the celebration, one lucky winner will be selected for the grand prize valued at $18,910. Every hour from 2 p.m. until midnight, five new winners will be selected to receive $1,891 in free play. The number 1891 is significant as it represents the year the San Manuel Band of Missions Indians was recognized as a nation.

In spring 2022, a 2,800-seat theatre will join the list of amenities at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino.

INSPIRE is now accelerating towards its opening date in 2023. (photo by Mohegan Gaming)

2. Mohegan Gaming targets 2023 opening for new Korean resort casino
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment announced the successful closing of financing to develop the INSPIRE Entertainment Resort on Yeongjong Island in Incheon, South Korea.

The aggregate funding of $1.55 billion will be used in Phase 1 of development for the impressive IR. The project is set to open its doors in 2023 to world travelers and gaming enthusiasts. INSPIRE Entertainment Resort will be the largest IR in Northeast Asia once completed.

The Phase 1 resort development includes three 5-star hotel towers, a 15,000-seat multifunctional professional performance arena, a “foreigners-only” casino, the largest convention facility in the Seoul metropolitan area, a world class retail offering, a year-round indoor water dome experience and a large outdoor thematic space, known as the "Family Park."

With the successful completion of the funding for this first phase, INSPIRE is now accelerating towards its opening date in 2023.

1. 888 moves closer to officially acquiring William Hill non-US assets
888 Holdings received important regulatory clearances that will lead the operator to completing its acquisition of all William Hill assets in Europe.

Key highlights of the acquisition

All mandatory antitrust and gaming regulatory clearances received
Shareholder circular and prospectus expected to be issued in early 2022, with shareholder vote to follow
Completion is now expected to occur in Q1 2022, subject to satisfaction of remaining conditions to completion
New equity to be issued via capital raise expected to occur prior to completion of the Acquisition
Integration planning progressing well, with Guy Cohen appointed SVP, Director of Integration, working alongside senior counterparts from William Hill
Continued focus on execution in existing 888 business, with current trading in line with Board expectations

Alongside efforts to ensure completion in Q1 2022, 888 has also focused on integration planning, which is progressing well. The group has appointed Guy Cohen as SVP, Director of Integration, to work alongside a senior team from William Hill to advance integration preparations. Guy formerly served as SVP, Head of B2C at 888, and will continue to report to Itai Pazner, CEO.