All news

Captain Noe Esparza, who leads the NWAC, will be one of the key speakers at the event, addressing community concerns and providing insights into how the LVMPD is responding to the uptick in crime. These town hall meetings are part of an ongoing effort to maintain transparency between law enforcement and the public, ensuring that residents feel informed and heard.

Crime on The Strip: a lingering issue

Despite these proactive measures, crime in the tourist areas of Las Vegas remains a concern. One recent incident underlines the challenges faced by both police and visitors. Over the past weekend, a couple from St. Louis was attacked while celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary on The Strip. The husband, Mitchell Stonebarger, was capturing video footage of the area when two men became agitated after being filmed.

The confrontation quickly turned violent, with Stonebarger being punched and kicked by the two suspects. He suffered facial injuries, including swelling and bruising, according to reports by KLAS, a Las Vegas television station. Shockingly, a crowd of onlookers witnessed the attack but failed to intervene or offer assistance afterward.

The couple reported the assault to the LVMPD, but the suspects remain at large. Stonebarger expressed disappointment with the lack of public intervention and said the incident has left a negative impression. "You hear people say, 'Be careful outside of The Strip.' I'm saying, be careful in The Strip," he told KLAS. The couple has decided not to return to Las Vegas in the near future.

As Las Vegas continues to attract millions of visitors each year, the LVMPD remains committed to improving safety in both tourist areas and local neighborhoods. The rise in overall crime, despite a decline in homicides, demonstrates the complexities of maintaining law and order in a city known for its nightlife and attractions. With ongoing efforts such as the Edged Weapon Initiative and public safety town halls, the city aims to balance its reputation as a world-class destination with the safety concerns of residents and visitors alike.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board is proud of the success of the Don't Regret the Bet marketing scheme, a responsible gambling initiative aimed at promoting safe betting practices among Michigan's online casino players. This news comes as the campaign completes its first year and secures $3 million in funds from the state's 2024 budget, ensuring the continuation and expansion of the program's impactful messaging.

A year of responsible gambling advocacy

Unveiled in March, Don't Regret the Bet was designed to encourage Michigan residents to gamble responsibly, particularly as the iGaming industry continues to grow in the state. Partnering with King Media, a public relations firm, the MGCB embraced an aggressive advertising strategy in the media. The campaign has been featured on local radio and TV stations as well as across various social media platforms, reaching a wide audience in the Great Lakes State.

The initiative, which focuses on educating gamblers about the risks associated with excessive wagering, has been widely praised for its effectiveness. By creating relatable, eye-catching content, the MGCB has found success in inspiring awareness around a serious issue, particularly in an increasingly competitive online gambling market.

Award-winning marketing efforts

Despite its relatively short existence, the Don't Regret the Bet campaign has already garnered significant recognition. In 2023, the initiative earned two prestigious awards: in August, it earned the Platinum Viddy Award and in September, it was awarded the Platinum dotCOMM Award, both in the category of best digital marketing campaigns. These awards honor excellence in digital and video communication and web creativity, demonstrating the creative and thoughtful approach that the MGCB has taken in promoting responsible gambling.

The Viddy Award had over 2,500 entries from 17 countries, while the Platinum dotCOMM Award attracted submissions from 33 countries, making the MGCB's victories even more impressive. These accolades demonstrate that responsible gambling campaigns can resonate with diverse audiences and foster meaningful change.

Executives from the MGCB expressed their gratitude for the collaborative efforts between King Media and their own team, noting that the campaign's success was made possible through a shared dedication to player well-being. The strategic partnership has helped the MGCB become a leader in responsible gaming advocacy, setting a higher standard for similar programs nationwide.

A bright future with $3 million in state funding

Looking ahead, the MGCB is preparing to build on the success of Don't Regret the Bet by leveraging the $3 million in newly secured funding. The 2024 budget allocation will be used to produce fresh content for the campaign, including video animations, commercials, social media ads, and website updates. These new materials will expand the campaign's reach across Michigan, ensuring that the message of responsible gambling continues to be a prominent part of the online gaming conversation.

One of the key goals for the upcoming year is to broaden the campaign's coverage and enhance its advocacy efforts, making responsible gaming resources more accessible to Michigan players. The MGCB also plans to invest in its website, DontRegretTheBet.org, where visitors can get additional information on how to gamble responsibly and make use of various self-assessment tools.

The MGCB's expanding role

The Don't Regret the Bet campaign is just one part of the MGCB's broader efforts to regulate Michigan's growing gambling sector. In 2024, the MGCB will receive a total of $50.7 million from the state legislature, which includes $4.2 million in additional funding. This money will be used to hire 16 staff members to support new programs and create an integrated receivable system that aligns with SIGMA, the state's financial system.

For the first time since the MGCB's founding, board members will also be recompensed for going to meetings, receiving a total of $63,000 allocated by the state. This recognition of the board members' work further emphasizes the agency's increasing role in shaping MI's gaming landscape.

As the MGCB continues to evolve, its focus remains on responsible gambling and player protection. The additional funding and resources will allow the agency to remain at the forefront of gambling regulation and advocacy, ensuring that Michigan's online casino players have access to the tools and knowledge they need to gamble responsibly.

Cincinnati is yet to win a game in three weeks now, and this is starting to be quite a problematic trend for a team that is expected to catapult its status on the big stage, powered by the return of Joe Burrow to the lineup.

cadiaN, who is seen as one of the best and elite players in CS2, has come to join the Danish squad in the hopes of engineering their chances of winning over the final set of tournaments left to play in the CS2 calendar. At this point, it cannot be denied that cadiaN is a massive boost to the team, and naming him as an in-game leader moving forward can be quite a shock for many fans and even players.

With the BLAST Premier Fall Finals underway, it is hard to comprehend why Astralis would come up with this push to bring in an elite star in cadiaN to boost their chances. At this point, one can say that this is a signing that will either lead them to impressive victories, or to a humiliating loss.

A Surprising Move

Astralis signed cadiaN to complement the recent needs of their squad to have a massive addition in the coming months. It is worth noting that cadiaN has quite an unceremonial split with the likes of Martin "stavn" Lund and Jakob "jabbi" Nygaard back then, but he remained to be one of the best picks who can help them win big.

The drama has been set aside, and now it seems that they will try not to struggle with each other as it has already sent waves through the game’s competitive scene at this point. The timing was impeccable, but only the tournament’s result will tell if this was indeed a winning move, or just another waste of hype among the players.

Astralis now fields a roster composed of dev1ce, Staehr, stavn, jabbi, and now, cadiaN. This reflects well after the departure of br0 in the event, after reports claimed that the star had a medical emergency. However, his agent Fabian Broich claimed that the star was in full health and is ready to take on the challenge but unfortunately got benched.

A Complaint from the Stars

In the eve of the BLAST Premier’s media day, a number of star players such as Dan "⁠apEX⁠" Madesclaire, Russel "⁠Twistzz⁠" Van Dulken, Finn "⁠karrigan⁠" Andersen, and Marco "⁠Snappi⁠" Pfeiffer all made identically-worded messages on their social media platforms, saying that "I might be unfit for Blast Media tomorrow."

Organizations came into the game with a letter of complaint, addressing that the game must uphold its commitment to integrity and consistency, with the issues taking a firm stance on the teams competing with coaches and even the issue of using mental or physical health as a means to come up with an emergency substitute.

It remains to be seen if BLAST will actually come up with a ruling that will prevent cadiaN from playing with Astralis to begin their campaign. However, it is worth noting that this is not going to be a one-timer run with the star as they also seek to bring him over to IEM Rio, where there are going to be bigger stakes as they seek to continue their dominance in the coming games as well.

The million-dollar winners for this month are announced: an anonymous player took home the jackpot prize of $1.46 million at an Atlantic City casino, and an unnamed man from Nebraska wins $1.6 million on a visit to Vegas. Other lucky players, such as Agostino Limongelli (who we just reported about recently) won the FanDuel prize of $1 million, and two visitors from Hawaii won big in Vegas as well.

In a stroke of luck, an unidentified woman from Morris County, New Jersey, won an astonishing $1.46 million jackpot at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City earlier this month. The fortunate winner was playing an Aristocrat Gaming Dollar Storm slot early in the morning of September 14 when she placed a modest $20 bet that ultimately transformed her life.

This significant win stands out as one of the largest payouts in the history of Ocean Casino Resort. A spokesperson for the casino confirmed the news, stating, "The jackpot marks one of the most significant payouts in the casino's history."

Ocean Casino Resort, known for its lavish accommodations and entertainment offerings along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, has attracted players from all over the country, and the recent win further strengthens its reputation as a hotspot for big payouts.

Other big wins across the nation

As news of the $1.46M win at Ocean Casino Resort broke, it was revealed that major jackpots have been popping up across the country this month.

In Las Vegas, a man identified only as Scott from Omaha, Nebraska, hit the jackpot at Planet Hollywood. On the 5th of September, Scott was trying out Pai Gow Poker when he won a staggering $1.62 million by landing a seven-card straight flush along with a joker. Scott had been playing for about 90 minutes when he scored the progressive jackpot, much to his astonishment.

The win came at a perfect time for Scott, who was at the casino to try his luck before watching a Kansas City Chiefs game. He was even wearing a shirt featuring the number of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a fitting touch as the Chiefs went on to win their match against the Baltimore Ravens with a score of 27 - 20 that same night.

Scott immediately called his wife to share the good news. He plans to invest his newfound fortune, reflecting a practical approach to his windfall.

FanDuel Casino's $1M sweepstakes

Meanwhile, in an online sweepstakes promotion, a man named Agostino Limongelli became the lucky recipient of a $1 million prize from FanDuel Casino. The 62-year-old man's surprise was evident when he was informed of his win during a live YouTube broadcast on September 9. We reported on his win about a week ago, and Limongelli's first response was sheer disbelief. He went on to express his excitement, sharing that he would use the money to purchase a car and take a well-deserved vacation.

"I don't know what to say. I'm shocked. A million dollars... My heart is racing out of my head," he added. Limongelli also thanked FanDuel for the unexpected windfall.

Another slot machine jackpot in Las Vegas

In a separate instance, a visitor from Hawaii struck it big while playing at a Wheel of Fortune slot at the California Hotel & Casino in downtown Vegas. The mystery player, who wished to remain anonymous, won an impressive $891,775.72 on August 6 after betting just $1.75.

Interestingly, this wasn't the first major jackpot hit at the California Hotel & Casino in recent months. Back in June, another visitor from Hawaii won a $1.5 million jackpot while playing the same Wheel of Fortune slot. That winner had been visiting Vegas to enjoy the 21st birthday of his son, and in a fun twist, the June winner attributed his good luck to a red envelope he had in his pocket, a token often associated with good fortune in many cultures.

The Eagles' residency at the Las Vegas Sphere represents a new chapter in rock concert history, where music and technology connect and intersect on an unprecedented scale. The opening night's performance featured an array of captivating visuals that, at times, even outshined the legendary band itself.

"How many of you have been here before?" Henley asked the crowd, with a third of the audience raising their hands. "The rest of you, I hope you brought some Dramamine, because it's gonna get crazy." Henley's words rang true as the Sphere's 360-degree screen transported the audience from a lightning-quick journey along the Las Vegas Strip during Life in the Fast Lane to soaring through the sky above a tenement during Joe Walsh's In the City.

During Seven Bridges Road, the Sphere took it up a notch, projecting live footage of all six singers across a starry night sky, adding an ethereal quality to the band's harmonies. The combination of live performance and digital landscapes redefined what it means to attend a rock concert in the 21st century.

Henley himself acknowledged the competition between the visuals and the band, quipping, "So this is the Sphere, some 21st-century iteration of an entertainment venue. We're just the house band."

The perfect soundtrack for the Sphere

Despite the visual spectacle, the Eagles' sound remained flawless. While Henley joked that the Sphere's tens of thousands of speakers would amplify every mistake, none were noticeable as the band wove through a 19-song setlist that spanned decades of hits. The Eagles' signature songs were executed to perfection, resonating across generations of fans in the audience.

Deacon Frey and country star Vince Gill stepped in to fill the void left by Glenn Frey, the band's co-founder who passed away in 2016. Their combined presence brought both familiarity and freshness to the performance, ensuring that Glenn's legacy remained a central part of the show. During the encore, Henley paid tribute to another key figure in the band's history, J.D. Souther, who passed away recently.

"J.D., as some of you may know, played a pivotal role in the Eagles," said Henley during the encore. "He wasn't in the band, but he certainly co-wrote some of our biggest hits, including 'The Best of My Love,' 'New Kid in Town,' and this next song, 'Heartache Tonight.'"

A surprising opening with Hotel California

Perhaps the most unexpected moment of the night came when the Eagles opened the show with Hotel California, their most iconic song. The band debuted a new video for the track, featuring animations that captured the complex emotions of abandonment, imprisonment, and hedonism portrayed in the lyrics.

By starting the concert with their biggest hit, the Eagles set the tone for a night that was as bold as it was unconventional. The decision to frontload Hotel California freed both the band and the audience from waiting in anticipation, allowing the night to flow more naturally. Fans were also more relaxed, with no fear of missing out on the biggest number if they needed a break during the show.

The Eagles' timeless appeal

Even as the Sphere's visuals dazzled, the music of the Eagles remained at the heart of the experience. Their setlist spanned the hits that have defined their career, from One of These Nights and Tequila Sunrise to Take It Easy and Desperado. The Sphere added a new dimension to these classic songs, giving fans a fresh way to experience the music they know and love.

For fans in the audience, this residency is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Eagles' timeless music amplified by cutting-edge technology. Though Henley might joke about being upstaged, the Sphere and the Eagles are perfect partners, combining the best of rock history with the future of live entertainment.

Ohtani was the star slugger and pitcher for the Angels in his first six MLB seasons. He would go on to win the American League MVP award twice, but always missed the postseason. After signing a massive and historic $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers, it does seem that he will continue to have a legendary season in the making at this point.

As of the time of writing, the Dodgers stand alone at the top of the National League West with a 92-63 record, being leagues ahead of the San Diego Padres, who are second in the division. Ohtani’s winning strides has helped the Dodgers to rise to the best record in the MLB this season – tied with the Philadelphia Phillies so far – at least until the season ends.

After beating Natus Vincere in the final of the IEM Cologne 2024, it does seem that Vitality has the best chance to keep up the same pace in their games and come up with a winning run in the BLAST Premier Fall Finals. However, the team will be facing one of its toughest rivals in Astralis as the team seeks to settle a score after their Fall Groups showdown as well.

Still, Team Vitality remains as the hot pick to claim the lion’s share of $200,000 and an instant qualification spot for the BLAST Premier World Final. The team will have to brave a very competitive Group B, which is composed of Team Spirit – who won the BLAST Premier Spring Final, Team Liquid – who emerged as the top seed in Group D of the Fall Groups, and lastly, Astralis.

A Dominant Run in the Fall Groups

Vitality ensured that they will be ready for the coming action by making a statement in the Fall Groups. The team defeated GamerLegion in the opening round with a 2-1 finish and later dominated their clash with Astralis in a 2-0 victory, who would later wound up for a rematch in the group’s Grand Final with the hopes of stealing Vitality’s thunder.

However, Vitality would not let up, not even after Astralis went up 1-0 in the clash when they won 13-10 on Vertigo. The French squad would go on to bounce back up right away by winning Mirage 13-10 to tie the series, and later dominating the final map, Nuke, in a 13-7 victory to pull away for a promising win.

Vitality emerged as one of the four top contenders to look out for in the BLAST Premier Fall Finals, joining G2 Esports, Team Spirit, and Team Liquid – with the latter two now set to be their opponents in the coming games as well. This is why Group B is expected to be a “death group” with all of the intense competition coming around.

Setting Expectations in the Rivalry Clash

Team Vitality is still poised as the favorite to win in their opening match against Astralis, which takes place tomorrow. The team has won four straight games over Astralis, dating all the way back to the Spring Groups. Since the launch of CS2 last September 2023, Team Vitality holds a 5-1 record over Astralis.

This just says a lot about the coming showdown as Vitality is highly favored to win in the opening match. The team will have to win at least two or three (if they lose to Astralis) in order to qualify for the next round. A win in the group stage overall will see them secured for the semis, while a runner-up finish will place them as a high seed in the quarterfinal, and a 3rd-place ending will bring them as low seeds for the same stage. The stakes are high as Vitality hopes to defend its title and establish its dominance in the game heading into the final months of the CS2 season.