Casino City’s Friday Five: Poker, Ontario and Las Vegas hotels edition

Headlining the news this week is some major news coming out of Michigan regarding online poker. In addition, we have some familiar and famous places returning to Las Vegas, two major jackpots hit in Sin City and Ontario launching its iGaming market.

Let’s begin with some life-altering payouts:

5. Two Las Vegas guests come away with progressive jackpot wins
On Wednesday, 30 March, two Caesars Rewards members hit a Mega Progressive Jackpot.

Michael Takes hit a jackpot on Let It Ride for $1,041,779 at The LINQ Hotel + Experience and Edward Marx hit a jackpot on Pai Gow Poker for $473,455 at Caesars Palace.

Takes, who is in town from Iowa, played for an hour and a half before hitting the $1,041,779 jackpot at 1 a.m. on Thursday, 31 March. Takes said he plays the game “every once in a while” and plans to use his winnings to buy a fishing boat and save for retirement.

Earlier on Wednesday night, Marx of Texas played Pai Gow Poker for three hours before hitting the $473,455 jackpot with a seven-card straight flush. Marx played the game many times before and plans to save his winnings.

Congrats to Michael T. on hitting the Mega Progressive jackpot for $1,041,779 playing Let It Ride! Thanks for living the #LINQlife #HeartofTheStrip ????
Gambling Problem? Call 800-522-4700 pic.twitter.com/4YufIf2Xwq
— The LINQ (@TheLINQ) March 31, 2022

4. The Mirage to reopen Rhumbar
One of the Strip’s most iconic cocktail destinations is ready to get the party started once again as Rhumbar Tropical Ultra Lounge will open at The Mirage on 20 April. This comes 4 months after MGM Resorts International announced it will sell The Mirage to Hard Rock International for $1.075 billion.

The newly designed venue by BASILE Studio has transitioned into an ultra-lounge, complete with a refreshed bar program, culinary fare, refined cigar menu and nightly entertainment.

Some of the new cocktail highlights include:

- Surfrider Mai Tai, made with Bacardi 8 Year Old Rum, Avuá Cachaca, Myers Rum, Liquid Alchemist Orgeat, and pineapple juice.
- 100 Foot Wave, a libation created with Coruba Dark Rum, Ron Del Barrilito 3 Star Rum, El Dorado 12-Year Old Rum, tangerine juice, lemon, and passionfruit puree.
- Post Melon, handmade with Grey Goose Vodka, Midori, melon juice, simple syrup, and lime.

Whether sipping a specialty cocktail at the inside bar, meeting friends for a late-night snack, or people watching on the outdoor patio, Rhumbar will be a place to be.

Groovy vibes every sunset in Paradise! ?? Get carried away in a tropical riptide with @rhumbarlv Tropical Ultra Lounge opening April 20!
?? : https://t.co/koGuQstInE pic.twitter.com/55zK6OWh5V
— The Mirage (@TheMirageLV) April 4, 2022

3. Ontario’s new iGaming market is live
Beginning on Monday,players in Ontario can now play internet casino games and place sports bets on sites offered by iGaming companies that are fully registered and approved.

To play with confidence knowing their money and information is subject to consumer protection measures, players in Ontario just need to look for the iGO logo on an operator’s site.

Operators who have successfully been registered by the AGCO and have executed an Operating Agreement with iGO have met rigorous standards of game integrity, fairness, player protections, and social responsibility, enabling players to play with confidence.

“This is a monumental day that establishes Ontario as an international leader in online gaming,” said Martha Otton, iGaming Ontario’s Executive Director. “After years of anticipation culminating in historic legislation followed by months of hard work by all stakeholders, we have reached today’s launch of a legal internet gaming market out from under its previous grey market standing.”

2. Michigan added to Multi-State Internet Poker Agreement
Michigan joins Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey in the agreement and will add 10 million potential players to the group when the other three states contribute around a combined 12.8 million.

The Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement was entered into by Nevada and Delaware in 2014, following the passage of Assembly Bill Nos. 114 and 360 in Nevada during the 77th Session of the Nevada Legislature. In 2017, New Jersey became party to the Agreement, expanding the Association’s shared liquidity to full online casino gaming.

Currently, Michigan and Nevada offer online poker to member states, while Delaware and New Jersey offer a full array of online gaming.

“The Multi-State Internet Gaming Association welcomes Michigan to its ranks, along with its nearly 10 million residents, who can now avail themselves of a full array of interactive gaming among the Association’s member states,” said Rebecca Satterfield, Manager of the Association and the Internet Gaming Manager for the Delaware Lottery. “The Association continues to be forward thinking and welcomes the interest of additional gaming jurisdictions in becoming party to the Agreement.”

1. Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas announces opening date
On Tuesday, The Palms Casino Resort announced 27 April as the official public opening date for the legendary Las Vegas property, with room and suite reservations now being accepted for stays beginning on 28 April.

Last May, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority announced they agreed to purchase The Palms Casino Resort for a reported $650 million from Red Rock Resorts. This opening will have The Palms being the first native-american owned casino in Las Vegas.

Having undergone more than a $600 million renovation in 2019, Palms Casino Resort boasts a diverse mix of bars and restaurants, featuring the return of popular outlets such as the highly acclaimed Scotch 80 Prime and Mabel’s BBQ by Chef Michael Symon.

The resort will also offer guests an expansive resort pool area featuring a multi-level, sprawling 73,000-square-foot space offering two luxurious main pools and 39 unique cabanas, most with their own private pool.

Additional information regarding spa, food and beverage, entertainment, pool and nightlife offerings will be announced soon.

It's official! ??

Palms will be returning April 27th!

NOW accepting room reservations for stays beginning on April 28th, 2022. We are thrilled to welcome back guests! ???

Book your stay with us at https://t.co/Vx6WnmryMW. pic.twitter.com/TuWpjuuYE6
— Palms Casino Resort (@Palms) April 5, 2022