All news

A few of the most well-liked locations for Circuit players have returned, including Harrah's Cherokee in Cherokee, North Carolina, which is hosting events in November and August. The only other casino with numerous stops during the 2024 phase is Choctaw.

Initial Kick Off

One of the more notable poker events was when Dong Meng won the $1 million freeroll Tournament of Champions. This victory gave him the first gold bracelet of the 2024 World Series of Poker, for a whopping $200,000. It was a fantastic finale to the 2023–2024 WSOPC season at Commerce. Although complete schedules for every stop are unavailable, they will be in the upcoming weeks. However, there will be a minimum of twelve gold ring events at each stop, including a $1,700 Main Event (the buy-in for the Main Event at an overseas Circuit stop will differ). WSOP Online will provide monthly Circuit tournaments in addition to the live Circuit events.

WSOP Circuit International Schedule

Here is the schedule for the upcoming WSOP Circuit international events, featuring venues in Europe and North America. 

The full schedule is yet to be announced, stay tuned at GambleSpot to get more updates on this ongoing story.

A 10% handle increase via the three FanDuel platforms was driven by a 15% increase in total players over the previous year's Triple Crown. However, FanDuel did not give a precise amount of money.

Andrew Moore, GM of FanDuel Racing did share that “It was a great Triple Crown driven by having horse racing in (the sportsbook app.)” In terms of expanding operations, Moore said “What we will be tracking going forward is whether horse racing would be something we make prominent in the sportsbook on an evergreen basis or only at select moments through the year.”

Direct Access to Site Sky Rockets

Through the FanDuel Sportsbook, more than 550,000 bettors directly on the Triple Crown, an increase of 20% from the previous year. FanDuel numbers increased when legal sports betting in Kentucky became available for the first time during a Kentucky Derby.

Sign-ups also saw a spike from broadcast deals between New York Racing Association (NYRA) and FOX Sports. While NYRA did not give any numbers on the Belmont Stakes sign up, they did mention that registration shot up by 159% to since 2022, which was the year FOX began airing the race.

Regular Programming

FOX Sports will be the network that NYRA continues to air during the summer. As they have done since 2016, the duo will host Saratoga Live, a program centered around betting, every race day. The major races around the country, including this year's DraftKings-sponsored Travers Stakes on August 24, will be televised on Saturdays on FOX.

A Michigan woman is taking legal action against the MGM Grand Detroit casino after it refused to pay out a $127,000 jackpot she won playing progressive blackjack, accusing her instead of trespassing. The plaintiff, Denise Ezell, 65, has been a regular at the casino for over two decades, predominantly experiencing losses during her visits.

On October 30 of 2023, Ezell visited the casino with a friend to enjoy a session at the progressive blackjack tables. If you weren't aware yet, this version of blackjack allows players to place side bets, hoping their two cards will combine with the dealer’s to prompt a jackpot. Ezell's winning hand featured the king and jack of spades, while the dealer revealed the queen and ace of spades, resulting in a four-card straight flush that qualified her for the substantial payout.

Ezell felt exhilarated and she recounted to The Detroit Free Press that they were high-fiving, and even the dealer was excited. In fact, everyone around them was excited because no one had ever seen anyone win such a large jackpot.

A jackpot prize that went awry

However, when Ezell submitted her driver's license as identification, the casino management informed her that she would not receive the payout because she was trespassing. She was then asked to leave the premises.

The controversy stems from an incident in 2015 when Ezell was banned from the casino after being reproached for panhandling. But Ezell insists the situation was a misunderstanding - she explains that she had had an argument with her cousin, who had refused to lend her money after she started losing, despite their prearranged agreement to support each other financially when gambling together. According to Ezell, casino security misinterpreted this argument as her soliciting money from a stranger.

Upon being escorted out in 2015, Ezell claims she asked the security guard about the duration of the ban and was told it might last "maybe 24 or 48 hours." The lawsuit asserts that Ezell received no formal notification from the casino - via phone call, email, text message, or even letter - that she was banned from the property. In the interim, Ezell continued to visit the casino hundreds of times, with the establishment consistently accepting her money.

A communication error - and a complete disappointment

In the days following her big win, Ezell contacted the casino and spoke with a staff member who assured her not to worry about the trespassing claim and that her jackpot would be processed. However, the same staff member later informed her that the issue had escalated beyond his authority.

Ezell expressed her disappointment, saying, "I just thought when you won, they would pay you. When you lose, they take your damn money."

As of Thursday, the MGM Grand stated that it had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit and therefore could not comment on the matter. Ezell described the casino's justification for withholding her winnings as "bull***t."

The lawsuit highlights the ongoing debate about the rights of gamblers and the responsibilities of casinos, especially in cases where longstanding patrons face ambiguous or poorly communicated bans. Ezell's case will likely draw attention to how casinos enforce such bans and manage disputes involving large payouts.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Ezell hopes for a resolution that will see her rewarded for her luck at the blackjack table - and for casinos to handle similar situations with greater transparency and fairness in the future.

The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board has released a comprehensive timeline for the much-anticipated downstate casino licenses. Applications for these licenses are due by the 27th of June, 2025, setting the stage for a competitive and transformative period for New York's gaming industry.

Every qualified bid will be assigned a six-person Community Advisory Committee comprising Governor Hochul and NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and it will also include the relevant borough president, assemblyperson, state senator, and lastly, the city councilor. These committees play a crucial role, as every casino proposal must secure the endorsement of its respective CAC by the 30th of September, 2025.

Vicki Been, Chair of the Gaming Facility Location Board, emphasized the importance of this timeline, stating, "This timeline encompasses all legal requirements that potential bidders must meet before we may evaluate applications. This roadmap also gives communities ample opportunity to have their voices heard, establishes a level playing field among multiple competitors, and affords serious applicants the opportunity to participate in a lucrative and transformational process."

Following the submission of bids with CAC backing, the Board will spend the months of October and November reviewing the proposals. The winners will be announced by December 1, and the victorious casino bids must pay their $500 million license fees to the state by December 31, 2025.

In addition to CAC endorsement, casino applicants must complete various entitlement processes, including getting zoning signatures and land-use permits. The Board notes that extending the application deadline to June 27 of next year helps level the playing field for some bids still navigating local approvals for their projects.

The difficulties faced by several applicants

The Board states that there are at least four publicly known potential applicants "not currently able to avail themselves of the zoning change due to specific requirements not covered by the amendment, including mapping changes, grading, or revocable consent to construct over streets." In addition, the Board was recently advised by the New York City Department of City Planning that the four impacted firms expect to emerge from the zoning process by the end of June next year.

The Board also highlighted the importance of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process. The SEQR is designed to identify any prospective harmful environmental effects of the actions, evaluate their significance, and propose different measures to mitigate their impacts. Applicants must substantially complete their respective environmental reviews by the end of June, 2025.

Leading players revealed

Among the frontrunners for these licenses are Genting and MGM Resorts, whose video lottery racinos - Resorts World in Queens and Empire City in Yonkers, respectively - are all set to become full-blown casinos featuring live dealer table games, sportsbooks, and slots, reminiscent of Las Vegas. But other notable companies vying for downstate licenses include big names such as Wynn Resorts, Hard Rock International, Bally's, Las Vegas Sands, Caesars Entertainment, and Mohegan.

The extended timeline grants these potential bidders the opportunity to address the complex requirements involved in obtaining the necessary approvals and completing environmental reviews. Needless to say, the competition for these downstate licenses is intense, with each bidder eager to secure a position in one of the most lucrative gaming markets in the country.

As the process progresses, stakeholders will have ample opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns, ensuring that the development of these casinos will align with the interests of local communities and the state. The New York State Gaming Facility Location Board’s updated timeline provides a clear path forward for this transformational process, setting the stage for significant developments in the downstate gaming industry in the coming years.

Claiming the bonus offer at BetMGM NJ is straightforward - new players can start simply by clicking the designated link to navigate to the BetMGM NJ website. Once there, they need to create an account and use the promotional code GAMBLING75 when making a $10 deposit. The $75 in bonus funds will be credited to their account immediately.

However, players should be aware of the T&C’s: specifically, a 10x playthrough requirement. This means that in order to unlock the $75 bonus for withdrawal, players must wager a total of $750. Additionally, the bonus funds cannot be used on sports betting, Jackpot Slots, or poker.

Interestingly enough, BetMGM also offers a matched deposit bonus for new players. By using an alternative promo code called GAMBLINGCOM, players can receive $25 on the house upon sign-up along with a 100% matched bonus on their first deposit, up to $1,000. This offer is actually available to players in all states where BetMGM operates, not just New Jersey, providing flexibility and additional value for those looking to maximize their initial deposits.

BetMGM Terms and Conditions: what you need to remember

Similar to most online casino bonuses, it is crucial for players to thoroughly read and understand the terms and conditions to make sure that the offer meets their expectations. For example, the key points you should remember for the $75 bonus include:

A minimum deposit of $10 is required.

Players receive $75 in bonus credits for immediate use in their account.

The $75 bonus is dependent on a 10x requirement for wagering.

No one can use the bonus credits on poker, jackpot slots, or sports betting.

Fast facts about BetMGM Online Casino

Here's a little background about BetMGM to refresh your memory: BetMGM has been a prominent player in the online casino market since its inception. The journey began in - you guessed it - New Jersey - in 2017 under the name PlayMGM. Following the merger of Entain and MGM in 2018, the online casino was rebranded to BetMGM. Today, BetMGM operates in four states: New Jersey (since 2017), then it branched out to Pennsylvania and West Virginia in 2020, followed by Michigan in 2021.

In the Garden State, BetMGM has partnered with The Borgata Hotel, Casino, and Spa, another renowned establishment in Atlantic City. This partnership enhances the gaming experience for online players, offering them access to a wide range of games and the prestigious MGM Rewards program. The MGM Rewards program provides players with additional perks and benefits, both online and at physical locations, enhancing the overall value and appeal of the BetMGM brand.

BetMGM Online Casino NJ's latest promotion is a fantastic opportunity for new players to explore a wide variety of games with an attractive bonus. Again, by depositing just $10, players can enjoy $75 in bonus funds, subject to the terms and conditions. Whether you are new to online gambling or a seasoned player looking for a new platform, BetMGM offers a robust gaming experience with its extensive game selection and rewarding promotional offers.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were eliminated in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the hands of the Florida Panthers in five games. After that, it did seem that Tampa Bay was hoping to see a promising change in their squad, but the cap space limits prevented them from offering another deal to Stamkos that would have seen him stay with the team fro at least four more years.

This was quite expected after the Lightning went on to acquire the rights to forward star Jake Guentzel from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Tampa Bay went on to sign their new acquisition to a seven-year, $63 million deal, which meant that the budget would be tight to sign Stamkos further.

A New Dawn for Stamkos

As soon as the news broke out that Guentzel was signed by the Lightning, the Predators made an aggressive push to upgrade their roster by signing for Stamkos. The team also added the likes of Jonathan Marchessault, Brady Skjei, and Scott Wedgewood to make it clear that they are gunning for the Stanley Cup Final.

Stamkos inked a four-year deal worth $32 million with the Predators. He had a total of 81 points (40 goals, 41 assists) in 79 games last season and six points (five goals, one assist) in five playoff games.

“This was a unique experience for me for sure,” Stamkos said. “Something I hadn’t really done in my career. When you’re trying to navigate where you’re going to play, there’s certainly a lot of factors that go into that. One, being a competitive team. Two, going to an organization that’s committed to winning. Three, probably the most important part, is it a fit for you and your family? When you have young kids like I do, being in the right city has to make sense for them as well.”

A Legacy Left By Stamkos

At the age of 34, Stamkos was the face of the franchise – the captain, the team’s leading scorer, and two-time Stanley Cup champion. However, all of that faded away in a blink of an eye after the Lightning did not approach him to sign an extension last July 1st before the 2023-24 season began. It was a season where Stamkos finished with 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 81 games and won the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

“After the season, I knew both sides were going to want to try to get something done and do something that was mutually beneficial for both sides,” Stamkos said. “It just felt like I was the one that was making a lot of the concessions. That certainly came into play.”

Fans were left disappointed by the decision made by the management, but it was quite the choice to either supplant their roster with a promising star or hold on to nostalgia. They’ve had a great run with Stamkos in that back-to-back Stanley Cup Final finish, which certainly defined his success in the game with the Lightning. Now it is time to move on.

Thompson is a winner with the Warriors. He is famously known for being Stephen Curry’s duo in the Splash Brothers, which played a huge role in their dynasty that resulted in four championships in seven trips to the NBA Finals. His 2,481 made 3-pointers in the regular season are the sixth-most in NBA history and the 501 threes he has made in the playoffs are more than anyone other than Curry.

Moving on to the Dallas Mavericks marks the end of the Dubs Dynasty. Thompson’s new chapter may be his last chance to get a ring now more than ever, and no one can deny that this run will define his career than any other year in his run.

July 1, 2024 – A woman from the state of Georgia by the name of Destiny Kennedy alleges that game developer Virtual Gaming Worlds (VGW) violates local gambling laws. Georgia continues to hold stringent laws on gambling in any form. Real-money online casinos like Chumba Casino, Luckyland Casino, and Global Poker are still considered illegal by state law.

VGW is one of the biggest sweepstakes casino companies in the US where thousands of iGamers enjoy multiple slot games and table games online. Kennedy’s allegation claims that the dual-currency sweepstakes format is a front to keep users from realizing VGW’s illegal casino operation.

“VGW proactively defrauds Georgia citizens because VGW advertises that its operations are legitimate and legal when, in reality, VGW knowingly and willfully operates what constitutes an illegal gambling enterprise,” Kennedy states.

While playing on one of VGW’s online platforms, Kennedy is looking to recover around $1,150. Although there is free-to-play money, she contends that the main objective is to purchase and accumulate Sweeps Coins in order to swap them for real money.

Kennedy's case also cites a 2012 Georgia senate bill that forbade "internet cafes" from providing casino-style gaming within the state. The legislation expressly forbids the use of computers for games of chance within the state, but it clearly specifies that this ban only applies to businesses and not to private residences or electronic devices.

Moreover, she mentioned in the lawsuit that she did not want the litigation to go to arbitration because she opted out of it via email when she created her account. She sued VGW on the 17th of May in Georgia’s Superior Court which the Georgia Northern District Court received without VGW’s official response to Kennedy’s filing.

About VGW

VGW was one of three online gambling companies that received cease-and-desist letters this year for operating in Michigan without authorization. VGW is an Australian iGaming company that runs social casino games through online platforms like Chumba Casino and LuckyLand Slots. However, there have been legal problems with their operations. They have been compelled to stop operations by a number of states, including Michigan, which views them as unlicensed gambling. There are also ongoing lawsuits contesting the legitimacy of their games.

This is an ongoing story.

Powerball draws take place thrice a week, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evenings at 10:59 pm. If no one wins the jackpot, the monetary prize will rise by millions. Learn more about the draw results from https://www.powerball.com/draw-result.

The next draw is on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Draws are held every Tuesday and Friday at 10 pm CT. Learn more at https://www.megamillions.com/Winning-Numbers.aspx.

The resolution of this legal dispute carries significant consequences for both Pennsylvania's casino industry and the numerous small businesses that depend on skill games for additional revenue. If the Attorney General's appeal is successful, skill games could be classed as illegal gambling devices, potentially eliminating an important income source for many establishments. Conversely, if the lower court rulings are upheld, it could lead to the expansion of skill games across the state, further entrenching their presence in Pennsylvania's gaming ecosystem.

This ongoing debate over the classification and regulation of skill games underscores the broader challenge of balancing economic interests with regulatory requirements in the ever-changing gaming industry. As the state Supreme Court prepares to review the case, stakeholders on both sides are keenly awaiting a decision that will significantly influence the future of gaming in Pennsylvania.