Casino City’s Friday Five: Sportsbooks and Super Bowl betting edition

The Super Bowl has come and gone, but we have the sports betting figures being released and record being broken. In addition this week, we have ESPN BET entering the New York market. As this book hits the state, another sports site is being asked to leave. Before we get into those details, we have a Mississippi casino celebrating 25 years, and several jackpot winners from the past week.

Let’s start off with some massive paydays:

5. Five Caesars Palace jackpot wins over Super Bowl weekend
While the Kansas City Chiefs basked in their triumphant win at Super Bowl LVIII, five Caesars Palace guests each won six-figure jackpots, totaling more than $600,000.

At 6 a.m. on 9 February, someone won $100,000 playing video poker at Caesars Palace.

At 7 p.m. that same day a guest left the casino floor with $200,000 after hitting a jackpot playing video poker at Caesars Palace.

Four hours later, a visitor was paid out $106,000 after landing a jackpot playing slots at Caesars Palace.

At 1 a.m. on Sunday 11 February, a casino goer hit an early-morning jackpot on Super Bowl Sunday for $110,000 playing video poker at Caesars Palace.

At 10 p.m. on 12 February, a guest was awarded $138,750 after winning a jackpot playing slots at Caesars Palace.

Then last month, on 25 January, James Martin won $657,089.35 when he placed a side bet on an AGS Progressive Jackpot Hold’em 5 Card Poker game. It is the largest single jackpot in Southland Park Gaming & Racing’s history just beating out the AGS Stax Blackjack Match progressive hit of $649,000 on 21 December 2023.

Congratulations to James who hit big on Flop “Clubs” Royal Flush Jackpot Hold ‘Em winning a #jackpot of $657,089.35 at #southlandcasinohotel!

Plan your visit for a chance to win big like James! pic.twitter.com/tFfc1YKom5
— Southland Casino Hotel (@SouthlandGaming) January 25, 2024

4. Beau Rivage Resort and Casino celebrates 25 years
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino opened its doors to the public on 15 March 1999, and to celebrate, the weekend of 15 and 16 March will offer guests a variety of entertainment, casino promotions and a drone show that will light up the night sky.

This Mississippi Gulf Coast resort’s 25th Anniversary Celebration $250,000 Giveaway will culminate at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, 16 March, with $250,000 in prizes including free play or table play and $200,000 cash up for grabs.

From 12-16 March, players can receive a commemorative 25th Anniversary Water Bottle when 300 points MGM Rewards are earned on their card.

Join us as we light up the night sky with a choreographed drone show as we celebrate turning 25!
March 16 • 9pm
6th Floor of our Parking Garage
More info here: https://t.co/ROhSOpcXdC pic.twitter.com/hjLi9hSK2E
— Beau Rivage Casino (@BeauBiloxi) February 9, 2024

3. Record Super Bowl numbers at online sportsbooks
In addition to a 22.3% increase in geolocation checks throughout the weekend compared to last year, GeoComply reported that in the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday, more than 1.77 million new users signed up for online sports betting accounts in states where they are legal in the U.S.

Throughout Super Bowl weekend, GeoComply saw a total of 8.5 million active accounts across states where online sports betting is legal. This represents a 15% increase over last year’s Super Bowl.

Taking a look at where the Super Bowl was held, the Nevada Gaming Control Board released figures showing that a record-breaking $185.6 million was wagered in Nevada's 182 sportsbooks on this year's Super Bowl.

It wasn’t that positive for all states. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported that preliminary figures show $71,554,099 was wagered in the Commonwealth on this past weekend's Super Bowl through retail and online sportsbooks, a 15% decrease compared to last year.

2. PrizePicks fined and leaving New York
PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports operator, has been hit with a $15 million penalty that they will pay for offering their products in New York without having a license to do so.

According to the New York State Gaming Commission, PrizePicks did not submit an application prior to the 16 January deadline. As a result, the operator will also cease operations in The Empire State.

PrizePicks’ prop-style betting is considered sports betting in New York even though it is labeled as fantasy sports by the company.

What’s more, Florida has also told the operator, in addition to Underdog Fantasy and Betr, to cease operations there as well for offering the same kind of betting options as they did in New York. The three operators have been give until 1 March to exit The Sunshine State before punishments will be handed out.

1. ESPN BET to launch in New York
Earlier this week, PENN Entertainment announced that it reached an agreement with Wynn Interactive to acquire its New York mobile sports wagering licenses, providing PENN with market access to the jurisdiction. The hope is that PENN will launch its online sports wagering product, ESPN BET, in New York in 2024.

This news comes on the heels of WynnBET announcing it will be ceasing operations in Massachusetts. Just a few days ago, WynnBET customers in The Bay State received an email about the announcement and are given 30 days to access their accounts to settle any remaining bets and withdraw funds from their balance.

NEWS: PENN has reached an agreement with Wynn Interactive Holdings to acquire its New York mobile sports wagering licenses. Pending regulatory approvals, @ESPNBET will launch in New York later this year!

Read More: https://t.co/RK5LDk26c0
— PENNEntertainment (@PENNEntertain) February 13, 2024