Casino City’s Friday Five: Sports betting under fire edition

Earlier this week at the Senate Judiciary Committee, sports betting and its impact on public health was a major topic of discussion. Also, this week, we have a new millionaire thanks to a jackpot from The Venetian Las Vegas, Caesars Virginia celebrating its grand opening, the W Las Vegas debuting, and record revenue from iGaming in Michigan.

Let’s begin with a big winner:

5. The Venetian Las Vegas pays out near $1.5 million slot win
On Tuesday, a guest at The Venetian Las Vegas who wished to remain anonymous, turned a $9 bet into more than $1.4 million.

The guest was playing Wheel of Fortune 2x Wilds when Wheel Bonus Spin activated the progressive jackpot for $1,426,361.

4. November iGaming in Michigan sets record
Michigan commercial and tribal operators reported a combined $284.3 million total internet gaming gross receipts and gross sports betting receipts in November. Gross receipts increased 12.1% compared to last month.

November iGaming gross receipts totaled $226.0 million, the highest to date. The previous high was $220.7 million recorded in October 2024.

November gross sports betting receipts totaled $58.3 million, which is an increase from the $33.0 million recorded in October.

iGaming, sports betting operators report $284.3M in November revenue, set record with $650.2M in online sports betting handle. Read more: https://t.co/PWZDbpNREa pic.twitter.com/1QYeqkrJx3
— Michigan Gaming Control Board (@MichiganGCB) December 17, 2024

3. W Las Vegas debuts at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
MGM Resorts International and Marriott International officially mark the debut of W Las Vegas, transitioning the iconic 1,117-suite tower on the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino campus into the globally recognized W Hotels brand.

As of Wednesday, Marriott Bonvoy members can book stays and earn and redeem points at this destination, now part of the MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy.

The introduction of W Las Vegas to the MGM Resorts portfolio marks another milestone in the company's long-term strategic licensing agreement with Marriott International, first announced in 2023.

2. Caesars Entertainment celebrates grand opening of Caesars Virginia
On Tuesday, Caesars Entertainment opened its highly anticipated destination Caesars Virginia.

The morning began with a car parade of race cars and supercars supplied by Virginia International Raceway, Kaizen Autosport and Foreign Cars Italia weaving through the heart of Danville. Five-time NBA Champion and the league’s “best rebounding forward in NBA history,” Dennis Rodman was the parade’s master of ceremonies.

Caesars Virginia boasts 90,000 square feet of gaming space, including nearly 1,500 slots, 79 live-action table games, 48 electronic table games, a WSOP poker room and Caesars Sportsbook.

Additionally, Caesars Virginia is also home to a 320-room hotel tower, 50,000 square feet of meeting and convention space that also serves as a 2,500-seat live entertainment venue, a full-service spa, pool and a variety of dining options.

We celebrated the grand opening of the highly anticipated destination @CaesarsVirginia. The luxury resort opened its doors for the first time following a ceremony led by our leadership team and Danville community officials.

Caesars Virginia boasts 90,000 square feet of gaming… pic.twitter.com/4PUphAHGik
— Caesars Entertainment (@CaesarsEnt) December 18, 2024

1. US sports betting industry faces scrutiny in Senate hearing
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, underscored the public health impacts of the widespread legalization of sports gambling in a hearing titled, “America’s High-Stakes Bet on Legalized Sports Gambling.”

Blumenthal called for minimum federal standards like those in his Supporting Affordability and Fairness with Every Bet Act to better protect consumers from addictive practices and features of online sportsbooks and gambling platforms.

Earlier this year, Blumenthal introduced the SAFE Bet Act alongside Congressman Paul D. Tonko, which would require states offering sports betting to meet minimum federal standards in the categories of advertising, affordability and Artificial Intelligence to create a safer, less addictive product.