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WarHorse Casino Omaha, a permanent casino at Horsemen’s Park, is on track to open its doors this August, as it awaits regulatory sign offs by the NRGC (the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission). Officials from WarHorse Gaming, which is a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk, Inc., the business branch of the Winnebago Tribe, have announced that the casino is scheduled for a grand opening on August 6.

The $250 million WarHorse Omaha will feature over 20 table games, 800 slots, a sportsbook, and enhanced simulcast parimutuel wagering. The premier facility, located at 6303 Q Street, will also include a bar, restaurant, and a parking garage. But there are also future expansion plans for the casino, which involve additional floor space exclusively for gaming, a gaming patio located outdoors (where smoking will be permitted), and, last but definitely not least, a boutique hotel with 200 rooms.

The establishment of WarHorse Omaha follows the 2020 statewide ballot referendum that Nebraskans passed which authorized the state’s racetracks to run table games, slot machines, and sportsbooks. With this permanent casino establishment, the legislation also applied the Clean Indoor Act, which doesn’t allow tobacco smoking indoors in most businesses and public places and businesses, including casino venues.

WarHorse’s two casino projects in the state

After the 2020 vote, which was a resounding success, the NHBPA (Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association) joined with WarHorse Gaming to transform its racetracks into - you guessed it - casinos. Because of this, besides Horsemen’s Park, WarHorse is also developing a casino at the Lincoln Race Course.

The WarHorse Casino in Lincoln is another significant project, mirroring the investment and scale of the Omaha facility. Set to open this fall, the Lincoln casino will feature 430 slots, parimutuel wagering, and sports betting. But it differs slightly from its Omaha counterpart because the casino property in Lincoln will debut with a hotel featuring 220 rooms, along with a special center dedicated to events. Additionally, it will be home to a gourmet steakhouse.

It’s worth noting that another stipulation of the 2020 referendum mandates that gaming facilities be located next to an active racetrack. To comply, Horsemen’s Park has set September 29 as its single day of live racing in 2024. The Lincoln Race Course, rebranded to Legacy Downs at WarHorse Casino Lincoln, will conduct four racing days in total on September 20-28.

The NHBPA also oversees the dormant Atokad Downs (located in South Sioux City). Plans are in motion to redevelop that track into a casino, along with live racing, in the coming years. Post-construction, the NHBPA aims to increase live racing dates, targeting 15 race days at Legacy Downs and five at Horsemen’s Park per year.

The increase of gaming in the state of Nebraska

Since September 24, 2022, WarHorse has operated a temporary gaming center in Lincoln, located within the grandstand of Legacy Downs, featuring 400 slots and the Winner’s Circle Grill. Last year, WarHorse Lincoln generated a GGR (gross gaming revenue) of $51.5 million, outperforming the state’s three interim casinos in 2023. Meanwhile, Grand Island’s temporary facility followed with $30 million in GGR, while Harrah’s Columbus’ temporary setup at Ag Park, which opened a year ago this month, earned $7 million through the year of 2023.

WarHorse Omaha also launched a temporary sportsbook in November last year, generating $224,000 in GGR throughout December. And last month, Caesars Entertainment marked a milestone in Nebraska by opening the state’s first permanent casino. Harrah’s Columbus Racing & Casino (an investment of $100 million), opened on May 17 along with a Caesars Race & Sportsbook, 11 live dealer games, and 400 slot machines. In addition, two adjacent Marriott hotels are expected to open soon, offering accommodations for overnight guests.

As the August opening approaches, WarHorse Casino Omaha is poised to become a major player in Nebraska’s blossoming gaming industry, promising an array of exciting entertainment and beautiful amenities for NE residents and visitors alike.

In recent weeks, our friends at Casino.org, specifically Corey Levityan, debunked a prevalent myth involving Gordon Ramsay, who was rumored to have ejected Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce from his Hell’s Kitchen restaurant for being too inebriated (i.e., drunk). It’s totally untrue - and this unraveling leads us to another enduring myth about celebrity chefs: the belief that they are regularly present and actively cooking in their own restaurants. There may be a ton of myths in Las Vegas, including having your picture taken at the famous Las Vegas sign (then again, it just might be a popular superstition), but one thing’s for sure: we’ve all heard the myth about celebrity chefs and actually slaving in the heat of their restaurant’s kitchens.

Take, for example, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace. It is indeed a must-see when you’re in Las Vegas, and it is a place where Ramsay is often photographed - but has never actually cooked. But this misconception about celebrity chefs' involvement in their restaurants is widespread and not without reason.

The origins of the myth

It's relatively easy to see how this myth took hold. A vintage menu from Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace tantalizingly suggests, “If you think the guy sitting at the end of the bar looks a lot like Gordon, well, it just might be.” This statement feeds into the fantasy that diners might casually encounter Ramsay cooking up a storm or enjoying a drink nearby.

However, the reality is quite different. While Ramsay does make appearances, these are strategically scheduled and heavily promoted events designed to maintain the illusion of his regular presence. After all, we’re in Las Vegas, where magic happens every day!

Booking busy celebrity chefs

Caesars Entertainment, the entity that operates six Las Vegas restaurants under Ramsay's name, leverages this myth to attract diners. In fact, Caesars Entertainment mandates Ramsay to visit each restaurant annually and stay for a minimum of 24 consecutive hours. During these visits, Ramsay participates in photo sessions, creating the perception that his presence is a regular occurrence rather than a contractual obligation.

This annual visit is part of Ramsay’s lucrative deal with Caesars. To be perfectly honest, he receives $340,000 per restaurant annually for licensing his name, along with a cut of 5% - 6% of the gross profits of Caesars. This arrangement underscores a broader truth about celebrity chefs: once they attain substantial wealth through television shows and licensing deals, they are less inclined to engage in the day-to-day grind of running a restaurant kitchen. Why would they, when they quite literally don’t need to?

The reality of celebrity chef restaurants

While celebrity chefs like Ramsay might (and this is a big “might”) occasionally contribute to menu design, their hands-on involvement in the kitchen is virtually nonexistent. Furthermore, cooking in these restaurants could be legally challenging without the appropriate Nevada health card! Instead, these establishments rely on the expertise of their hotel partners’ food and beverage departments to manage daily operations.

As you may realize, Ramsay’s cooking appearances are limited to his television shows, such as "Hell’s Kitchen," which are filmed on soundstages. For example, the current filming of seasons 23 and 24 at the Foxwoods in Connecticut is taking place on a soundstage within the casino resort, not in an actual restaurant kitchen.

The details of Ramsay’s arrangement with Caesars were brought to light during the company’s bankruptcy proceedings in 2016, thanks to an exposé by the Wall Street Journal. While we do not have similar financial disclosures for other celebrity chefs, it is reasonable to assume that other celebrity chefs like Guy Fieri, Giada De Laurentiis, Guy Savoy, José Andrés, David Chang, and Michael Mina have comparable agreements.

The illusion of accessibility in Las Vegas celebrity restaurants

The illusion that diners might encounter these culinary stars in their “natural habitat” is perpetuated by the rare but highly publicized grand openings of new restaurants. These events are often attended by the chefs themselves, but unfortunately, they are exclusive, invite-only affairs for celebrities and VIPs, not the general public.

The myth that celebrity chefs actively work in their restaurants is just that - a myth. The presence of chefs like Gordon Ramsay at their establishments is a carefully managed and marketed illusion, much like the ones performed by David Copperfield and David Blaine, designed to enhance the dining experience and draw in the crowds. While the chefs willingly lend their names (and occasionally their creative input, like Ramsay with his famous Beef Wellington), the day-to-day culinary operations of these celebrity restos are left to a dedicated team of professionals behind the scenes. So, the next time you dine at a celebrity chef’s restaurant, go right ahead and enjoy the ambiance and the expertly crafted dishes - but don’t expect to see the chef sweating it out over a hot stove on your account.

After a promising season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it cannot be denied that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander deserves a lot of praise with the way he has played this season, leading them to greater heights that no one ever expected them to pull off after a long rebuild that put OKC as the black eye of the league.

When the season began, OKC was slated to be another team that would rest in the depths of the highly competitive Western Conference, tanking for yet another high draft pick. Instead, OKC turned up its engines led by Gilgeous-Alexander, leading the Thunder to a massive climb to the top with a promising string of performances, earning the runner-up spot in the MVP race.

Oklahoma City, despite losing a golden chance to secure a deeper playoff run, is still way ahead of its schedule, where they have thrived as one of the best teams in the league in such a wild Western Conference. SGA’s growth and development have played a huge role in OKC’s success, and this has definitely accelerated what could’ve been a long rebuild for many other teams in the league.

Does Gilgeous-Alexander deserve to be placed as the top-3 best player of the 2023-24 season? It’s an understatement.

A Breakout Season for SGA

Oklahoma City has enjoyed a massive boost thanks to SGA’s antics this season. He has been named to the All-Star squad for the second straight year, first as a starter. Many have wondered what his ceiling has been with the Thunder at this point, but with averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game, he has become a two-way star who has what it takes to win big.

The Canadian superstar finished second in the MVP voting, earning 15 first-place votes at most. His record of 51 games (a new Thunder record) with at least 30+ points has lifted OKC to a 57-25 record – the best in the West. He also has a string of game-winners this season, and it cannot be denied that his massive performances this season has helped accelerate OKC’s road to the playoff stage.

The Thunder, for the first time since the 2012-13 season, finished as the first seed in the West, and the first time they have won more than 50+ games since the 2015-16 season – which happens to be the last campaign of the Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook era of the Thunder.

A Thunderous Campaign Brewing

OKC is slated to have an enjoyable offseason now more than ever, and it cannot be denied that the team will have a lot of work to do to supplant Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise. After all, that series against the Mavericks left a poor taste in the Thunder star’s mouth, especially when it was his foul on the three-point attempt by PJ Washington that sealed their fate.

Still, OKC has a long way to go. There’s the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, some crazy signings rumored to be made in the free agency market. However, the ultimate development for OKC’s hopes would be resting on Gilgeous-Alexander’s further growth in the offseason, where he can stay on his consistent work ethic and keep the same pace he has had in the previous campaign.

A Chance to Shine on the International Stage

Speaking of the offseason, the Olympics is slated to take place in just less a month, and Team Canada has officially released its updated roster, with Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm of the team. He is also slated to play with teammate Luguentz Dort, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, as well as his cousin, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

SGA has been a menace on the international stage. In the 2023 World Cup, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 26.3 points, 4.7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. That comes along with his efficient brand of shooting with 55.6% from the field and 47.4% from three.

If fans are expecting to see a masterclass from Gilgeous-Alexander, they won’t have to wait long considering that the Olympics will have him carry the load for Team Canada as much as he did with Oklahoma City.

After what turned out to be a promising campaign in the 2023 season, it seemed that Bailey Zappe isn’t the only player who deserved a lot of praise in the New England Patriots roster. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson has just extended his stay with the team after agreeing to a new deal with the team that would see him stay for four more years.

Stevenson has accepted a promising offer from the Patriots to extend his stay with the team for four years, inking a $36 million deal that already has $17 million guaranteed. The running back was already in the final year of his rookie deal with the team, and with the new deal, it does seem that there are more to expect from his game with the way he is playing right now.

This means that Stevenson will be slated to stay with the Pats through 2028. This new $9 million average sets Stevenson as seventh among running backs, just between Joe Mixon, who is slated to receive $9.9 million, and both Derrick Henry and D’Andre Swift, who are set at $8 million. As the top back for the team, keeping him with the team for the coming runs would be a much-needed boost to keep the squad on top shape with the way they are rebuilding through the past few years.

A Bright Future for Stevenson and the Pats

Despite finishing with a 4-13 record in the 2023 season, where the Pats finished dead last in the American Football Conference, it does seem that there is a bright future brewing for the Patriots with Stevenson kept in the squad. It has been quite some time since the Patriots ended its dominance in the playoffs, and it cannot be denied that the expectations are high for the new generation of the squad to come up with bigger leaps.

As the top-rated back in the squad, it does seem that Stevenson will be getting more minutes and touches on the field if he is lucky enough to stay healthy. His ability as a runner and a receiver has been developed well in the past few years with the Pats, which makes him a promising three-down weapon for the squad. Just imagine him being the main guy whom Bailey Zappe will work with for the coming years, developing a strong chemistry together as a squad that will soon channel into being a contender now more than ever.

The Details of the Deal

What makes Stevenson’s deal with the Patriots unique is that it comes with an $8 million signing bonus and an attached possibility of incentives of at least $12 million starting in 2025. This can come in either reaching at least 1,400 yards, becoming a Pro-Bowler, or an All-Pro by the end of the season. On top of that, Stevenson’s bonus can go up as high as $600,000 if he reaches at least 1,400, 1,500, and 1,600 scrimmage yards starting in 2025 to 2028.

The deal would even max out at $48 million should he reach Pro Bowl plus first- or second-team All-Pro honors in the same timeline. At the age of 26, nothing is impossible for Stevenson’s game considering that he generated a total of 1,040 rushing yards and 421 receiving yards in 2022.

Assuming that Stevenson can stay healthy after that injury-riddled 2023 season limited him to just 12 games and a total of 857 scrimmage yards, fans should expect him to come up with bigger strides in the 2024 campaign for the Patriots, with a new contract giving him some inspiration.

June 21, 2024 – Popular online gaming site Sportzino has improved its welcome bonus package for new users, presenting a good mix of Gold Coins (GC) and Sweeps Coins (SC) to improve gameplay. By offering more value at signup and more chances to win awards, the enhanced incentive hopes to draw in more players.

New Welcome Bonus Details:

• Initial Sign-Up Bonus: New players will receive 220,000 GC and 10 FREE SC upon registration.
• Additional Offers: Players can accumulate even more GC and SC through subsequent offers, contributing to a more rewarding gaming experience.
• Total Welcome Package: The complete welcome offer now totals up to 1,570,000 GC and 45 FREE SC.

Beyond the generous bonuses, Sportzino features a diverse game library with over 600 games, ensuring a wide range of options for players to enjoy. For avid iGamers eager to explore new gaming opportunities and take advantage of the enhanced welcome package, signing up with Sportzino presents a promising start.

About Sportzino Social Casino

Sportzino is a social casino that functions primarily on a free-to-play method, allowing users to enjoy several casino-style games using virtual cash like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins. Although players can buy extra virtual money to play the games, real-money gambling is not offered; instead, the games are just for fun.

Sportzino uses a social casino strategy that enables players to experience the excitement of casino games without the hazards associated with real-money betting while promoting ethical gaming behaviors.

June 21, 2024 – Prominent online poker operator WPT Global has improved the current promos and expanded the possibilities available to players worldwide to participate in the brand's main live and online tournaments. The new money can be utilized to pay for various tournaments as well as to allow friends and family to attend the events.

There are two varieties of WPT Global Passports: the $1,500 WPT Prime Passport for the well-liked worldwide mid-stakes series, and the $12,400 WPT Passport, which is perfect for the year-ending WPT World Championship in Wynn Las Vegas.

Convertible Winnings

Players may now convert their online satellite winnings on WPT Global into WPT Passport Dollars, which they can then use whenever they choose at any World Poker Tour stop worldwide, thanks to the recently redesigned WPT Passport system. When selecting your chosen stop, please give yourself at least 25 days' notice to ensure that all arrangements can be made.

After a successful satellite performance, the WPT Passport Dollars can be redeemed for a variety of things, including tournament entries, travel fees, and other associated charges, greatly increasing flexibility and versatility.

The corresponding Passport Dollars won by the weekly finalist players will be added to their balance and can be utilized to create a tournament schedule that works for them. For instance, with a huge guaranteed prize pool of $40 million at Wynn Las Vegas in December, the $12,400 WPT Passport may be quite tempting to deploy for one large shot.

On the other hand, these Passport Dollars can also be divided up and used for other purposes at one of the several WPT Prime locations worldwide. They can also be used to pay for your lodging and travel. You may deposit up to $2,000 in cash expenditures for each WPT Festival into your WPT Global account using your personal Passport Dollars balance.

Players who have enough Passport Dollars at each tournament stop can claim up to $2,000. However, they must also use their Passport Dollars to purchase a ticket to an event with a minimum $1,100 buy-in. A player may submit a single expenditure request for each WPT festival they play, regardless of the number of tournaments they plan to enter.

About WPT Global

WPT Global, which debuted in 2022, provides a safe and equitable online poker environment, focusing mainly on recreational players with little competition from professionals. It features a game integrity engine, a rewarding loyalty program, and data-driven AI for safety. It’s also available in more than 60 countries, excluding the US.

Mookie Betts is the default MVP for the Los Angeles Dodgers, even with the addition of Shohei Ohtani. However, when injury starts to be a factor for the club, it seems that Ohtani is expected to log in more minutes, and he has shown that he can thrive as the team’s leadoff hitter with Betts out of the picture in the meantime.

So when the Dodgers took on the Colorado Rockies last Monday, critics were expecting the club to struggle with the way they will play with Ohtani as the lead batter. And surprise, surprise, the Dodgers won with ease, claiming a 9-5 victory at Coors Field without much hassle.

Of course, everyone knows how important Betts when it comes to winning for the Dodgers, but being able to hit 3 of 5 and coming up with a walk, and a stolen base says a lot about how versatile Ohtani is and what he can fully contribute to the club’s success when given the opportunity to do so.

Relying on Ohtani Improves his MVP Case

Life without Mookie Betts can be worrying for some, but the Dodgers themselves don’t worry that much when they have an MVP-caliber star in Shohei Ohtani, who has what it takes to come up with a promising boost when the club needs him to do so. When he was needed to come up with a magical game for the Dodgers, he didn’t even flinch when he was asked to step up.

Ohtani made a double twice, even driving in a run to cap off his third multi-hit performance in the last four games, which says a lot about how well he is ready to get up on the next level. That stretch alone saw him have seven hits in 15 at-bats. If you are not impressed with the two-time AL MVP, then you should know that he entered the game as the second when it comes to extra-base hits and is even tied for fifth in hits while being sixth in batting average.

Ohtani is still being considered for the MVP race. Heck, he’s even at the top in the MLB’s recent MVP poll. The ever-amazing game of Ohtani continues to thrive at the highest level, being able to put up massive performances down the stretch even when a designated hitter is not really expected to win MVPs. And yet here he is, earning more minutes that only add more to his MVP case at this point.

Stressing the Importance of Mookie Betts

Betts is expected to be out of the Dodgers’ lineup for the next six to eight weeks after suffering a left-hand fracture. It is never going to be easy for Los Angeles to come up with a solution besides putting in Ohtani, but they can only hope to produce at a high level while Betts takes his leave.

“You’re never gonna replace Mookie Betts. He’s a top-five player in all Major League Baseball,” said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. “But you know, we got a lot of good guys in this group. A lot of veteran guys. A lot of us have been on teams that have lost people to injuries. But we got a good group to hold it down. We’ll let him get healthy and welcome him back here sooner rather than later.”

Everyone in the club understands how injuries are never expected to come and often arrive when you least expect it. So when Betts got injured, it is a good thing that Freeman’s leadership clearly offers an insight as to how tight-knit the squad really is when it comes to winning games with each other.

Now that the clay adventure is wrapped up with a bang for Carlos Alcaraz, his focus now shifts to the grass courts, the ever-challenging atmosphere of Wimbledon in his sights now more than ever. At the age of 21, the Spaniard notes that his success will come handy as he seeks to deliver a promising win in the next major.

Alcaraz has walked off the Roland Garros with a promising title win, and it cannot be denied that the Spanish star is making the most of his chances considering how well he played on the clay. But with the proper rest that he has enjoyed now, it does seem that he can come off with the best promising performance come the big tournament.

In case you missed it, Alcaraz has won the French Open final against Alexander Zverev to secure his spot in the ATP Rankings at world no. 2 (Novak Djokovic fell off at third while Jannik Sinner sits at the top). It is also worth noting that he has notched the massive feat of being the youngest player to ever win on all three surfaces – winning in the US Open (2022), Wimbledon (2023), and Roland Garros (2024).

Going “All-In” in Wimbledon

Alcaraz recently arrived in London with the hopes of playing in the Queen’s Club Championship, where he hopes to break some sweat and earn a chance to win big on grass. Still, we all know that the big focus for Alcaraz is to come up with a win in Wimbledon, where a victory in the final will see him return to the top of the ATP Rankings and edge Jannik Sinner at the top spot.

“I have more matches in my bank on grass and now with the great run I had last year at Queen’s and Wimbledon, I know a little bit on how to play and understand the game a little bit on grass,” Alcaraz said in his pre-tournament press conference on Sunday. “I am more mature playing on this surface. The first practice I have done here, my movement wasn’t as good as last year but it is a slow process, so I have to be really focused in every practice and every match.”

For the season, Alcaraz stands at 26-4, with titles being won in Roland Garros and the Indian Wells. Still, the Spanish star is taking it one game and one tournament at a time, considering that he is slated to take on Wimbledon at the end of June after the Queen’s Club Championships and will begin his July run with the Olympics.

The Chase Continues for Alcaraz

The season has been somewhat stagnant for Alcaraz to begin with. He had to play three tournaments before winning his first in the 2024 Tour in the Indian Wells. He would go on to lose in the next three before finally winning in the French Open. This just goes to show that Alcaraz is still actively chasing points in his game this season with the hopes of finally finishing the campaign as the world no. 1.

So far, Alcaraz sits at 8,580 points in the world no. 2 spot. Last year’s rival Novak Djokovic is not that far behind with 8,360 points, meaning that a win or two for Djokovic in any massive tournaments can lift him over Alcaraz. The Spaniard is still a tournament win behind Sinner, who sits well at the top with 9,480 points as of the time of writing.

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks were hammered in Game 5 of the NBA Finals, never leading for the whole game right from the opening tip. It was a staggering loss for Dallas fans, who never saw a lead as the Mavs hopelessly tried to stay in the game and even giving up a lot of runs that led to the 18-point loss and the end of their promising season.

In a postgame interview, a reporter asked Doncic how much he was hurting for the whole series, given the fact that he has suffered multiple injuries in their series against Oklahoma City, where Doncic underperformed in most of their games. The Slovenian star was quick to answer with a brutally honest take about his performance in the series.

"It doesn't matter if I was hurt, how much was I hurt. I was out there. Tried to play. I didn't do enough,” said Doncic, who is now 0-1 in the NBA Finals, and fans are

A Struggle to the Finish

Luka Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in his NBA Finals debut. However, it is worth noting that despite that high scoring surge and all-around performance from the star guard, there has been a lot of talk as to how his game proved to be fatal for the Mavs as well.

For starters, Doncic has been long criticized throughout the NBA Playoffs for his lack of defense. Sure, he can come up with timely steals and blocks, but we have watched the Boston Celtics blow by him with different players time after time in the Finals, which says a lot about his lack of defensive prowess in the game.

Despite leading the Mavericks in all of the stat lines, Doncic has had a tough run in the game. A lethal three-point sniper like him should not have shot 11/45 from deep, and his total 23 turnovers lead Dallas, including 7 in the tough Game 5 loss. Doncic has struggled to play at the top of his game for the whole series, which has led to the defeat at the hands of the Celtics.

What’s Next for Luka Doncic?

Well, Luka still has three years left in his contract with the Dallas Mavericks, which makes it certain that he is slated to stay with the team for at least three more big runs. Doncic stated in his postgame interview that his priority for this summer is to get healthy, earn a chance to come up with big games for Slovenia in the Olympics, and get back to top shape when the season begins.

The Dallas Mavericks won’t have to worry about Doncic leaving, at least for now. But the team has to make sure that they make the right adjustments that will give him the best chance of winning if they want him to stay beyond his current contract.

For now, Doncic has had a taste of the big stage. It is a promising feat for a star at the age of 25, who also happens to be an MVP candidate and an All-Star who recently won the scoring title, and we can expect him to do bigger things in the years to come if he is going to come up with a massive win soon.

June 20, 2024 – At the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP), Daniel Negreanu is not having a good tournament run. On Tuesday, in Event #47: $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em, things took a turn for the worse for the poker legend.

On Day 1, 95 players registered for the six-figure buy-in tournament; registration is still available for Wednesday's Day 2 session. Henrik Hecklen had the biggest stack at the end of the play, and among the 44 players who finished the session with chips were Nick Petrangelo, Jared Bleznick, and Jeremy Ausmus.

In the $100k High Roller at the WSOP, Daniel Negreanu was unlucky enough to bust twice when confronted with pocket aces. He was sent to the rebuy line when, early on Day 1, his K♣J♦ ran against A♠A♣ held by John Kincaid. Later, Negreanu used his second bullet to secure his tournament exit after Sergio Aido's A♦A♥ forced him to give up despite a solid A♠9♠ on a favorable board.

Daniel Negreanu's WSOP summer hasn't gone as planned, as reflected in his vlogs. Despite five cashes, including one online, none have been substantial, and he's yet to reach a final table. With losses nearing $1.9 million over consecutive WSOPs, 2024 hasn't been favorable, down over $380,000 so far.

Negreanu, initially strong this year with high-roller wins and top finishes, aims to reverse his fortunes. In the WSOP $25k Fantasy Draft, he fetched $132 for Team DPMC but has contributed just 52 points, ranking 49th in the league standings.

June 19, 2024 – The Connecticut Lottery Corp. is able to sell lottery tickets online thanks to a statute approved by Governor Ned Lamont three years ago. The system is essentially operational but the Lottery Corp. has not disclosed the "soft launch," which is limited to the first 5,000 signups. However, the lottery website has warned of delays in delivering confirmation emails, so things aren't proceeding as planned.

Nobody can predict when the lottery's many games, including Keno, will be fully available for purchase online. According to a lottery spokesperson, it might happen as soon as Thursday. The state Department of Consumer Protection, which oversees gaming, must first certify that the systems are operational.

The soft launch is in place for laptop and desktop users and avid iPhone users. Android apps will be available starting in July, the lottery website said Monday.

The most recent troubles at the quasi-public Lottery Corp. are reminiscent of a long list of earlier ones. These include a continuing probe into the new retail sales system, which is being managed by a recently hired outside vendor called International Game Technology PLC, based in Great Britain, or IGT, that was started late last year. However, according to state Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, "They’ve made a few changes so we’ll see if they’re moving in the right direction.”

2023 Returns and Commission

In the most recent fiscal year, 2022–2023, the lottery sold $1.7 billion worth of tickets, giving the state $404 million in revenue and over 2,800 retail establishments $88 million in commissions. Those are significant figures. Given that many of them originate from those who can least afford it, I hope the marketing strategy is cautious in both who it targets and how.

As it has in the past, IGT, which was not operational throughout the hacking incident and app glitch, directed any inquiries to the Lottery Corp. Spokesman for Connecticut Lottery Corp. Arthur Mongillo did not address the issues other than stating that since it's a soft launch, bugs are normal.

"With the regulatory nature of things and the lack of communication at times, add in a few delays such as the replacement of our gaming system, this is pretty par for the course. We don’t want to rush a product to market that’s going to be flawed," Mongillo added.

On or around June 10, the lottery sales began with a soft start that received little to no media attention. A few clients were able to register via the Lottery Corp. app on their smartphones.