Casino City’s Friday Five: Sportsbook opening and massive paydays edition

The World Series of Poker continues to roll on and some big winners have been crowned with bracelets, including one from the Millionaire Maker event. Before we get into who won and how much they walked away with, we have some other stories to uncover as well. We have two jackpot payouts, a new Caesars sportsbook opening and expansions at a New Hampshire casino.

Let’s begin with some Three Card Poker:

5. Harrah’s Las Vegas awards Three Card Poker jackpot
A lucky player hit a jackpot Sunday, 19 June on Three Card Poker at Harrah's Las Vegas Casino & Hotel for $258,517.

Charles Liu, who was in Las Vegas on vacation from Baldwin Park, California, was playing at the table for one minute before hitting a five-card Royal Flush.

Big congrats to Charles L. on hitting a 5 card Royal Flush on Three Card Poker for $258,517 ?? #ComeOutandPlay
Gambling Problem? Call 800-522-4700 pic.twitter.com/Axne7NBpB4
— Harrah's Las Vegas (@HarrahsVegas) June 20, 2022

4. $1.6 million win at 4 Bears Casino and Lodge
A slots player at 4 Bears Casino & Lodge, located in New Town, North Dakota, hit a jackpot totaling more than $1.6 million. The player, Elton Spotted Horse from Mandaree, North Dakota won $1,668,961.83 while playing Dancing Drums Explosion.

Mr. Spotted Horse won the million-dollar jackpot over the weekend by matching three Explosion symbols in the Fu Babies bonus on a $5.88 bet.

4 Bears had a BIG WINNER this last Friday! ?? Elton Spotted Horse won $1.6 million playing Dancing Drums Explosion on a $5.88 bet! Congrats on your big win, Elton! ???? pic.twitter.com/dhD76mIRGH
— 4 Bears Casino (@4BearsCasino) June 21, 2022

3. Kolev wins WSOP Millionaire Maker event
The World Series of Poker in its new home at Bally's - Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas has crowned a new champion as Bulgarian Yuliyan Kolev has won his second bracelet as he was the last player standing in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em event.

This is the second consecutive year Kolev has won a bracelet as just seven months ago the Bulgarian won his first in the online $777 Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em event for $146,163.

Many notables were in the field with Robert Mizrachi chasing his fifth bracelet. However Mizrachi was eliminated near the end of Day 3 in 27th place. Another bracelet winner, James Calderaro, was also eliminated near the end of Day 3 in 26th Place.

When asked about winning his second WSOP bracelet and first live bracelet Kolev said, “The feeling is much stronger because all of your friends are here. The pressure is much more."

Another seven-figure payday has been claimed! Bulgaria's Yuliyan Kolev conquered this year's Millionaire Maker for $1,125,189 and his second WSOP gold bracelet.

?? @hayleyocho https://t.co/4N3hrOFU2z pic.twitter.com/Enq8OZqC5O
— WSOP (@WSOP) June 23, 2022

2. The Brook continues massive expansion
Following a multi-year, multi-million dollar expansion and remodel, The Brook in New Hampshire is now America’s largest charity casino.

The former Seabrook Greyhound Park has been entirely reimagined and transformed into a 90,000 square-foot casino entertainment destination.

In May, The Brook was the first casino in New England to debut historical horse racing machines. These new games feature themes very familiar to gamblers like Quick-Hits, Blazing 7’s, Wolf Run and Buffalo.

In addition to its casino games, The Brook is home to the largest off-track betting facility and largest sportsbook in New England. The DraftKings Sportsbook features a massive 500 seat sports bar and grill with both indoor stadium and outdoor deck viewing environments, four cinema screens and more than 200 additional televisions.

1. Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field is now open
Caesars Entertainment, in partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks, announced on Tuesday that Caesars Sportsbook at Chase Field is officially open.

The two-story, 22,300-square-foot entertainment destination is located adjacent to Chase Field in Downtown Phoenix and is now the largest freestanding sportsbook in Arizona and the largest retail sportsbook to open in partnership with a major sports stadium nationwide.

The venue features a total of nine betting windows and 13 self-service betting kiosks as well as wall-to-wall flatscreen televisions, patio space, along with table and lounge-style seating on both floors with a total capacity of more than 425. Private space is also available to rent.

“We’re extremely proud to bring Caesars Sportsbook and Guy Fieri’s Kitchen + Bar to Chase Field and Downtown Phoenix,” said Eric Hession, Co-President of Caesars Digital. “This destination provides sports bettors and non-sports bettors, locals and visitors alike, with an experience they can’t find anywhere else. Thank you to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Guy Fieri for making this possible.”

It's a beautiful morning as @Dbacks President & CEO Derrick Hall delivers opening remarks for the grand opening of @CaesarsSports + @GuysDTPHX at @ChaseField? pic.twitter.com/0Hqr5v44uF
— Caesars Entertainment (@CaesarsEnt) June 21, 2022