MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino is offering its players the chance to win some life-changing prizes. The property is currently offering the second-highest jackpot in its history, providing guests with a shot at a seven-figure sum.

The IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars jackpot, according to the announcement, is currently standing at $1.6 million. While the jackpot is exclusive to the property, it is not the only one Empire City currently offers.

In addition to a chance to win $1.6 million, players can win one of six progressive jackpots on the casino floor. These include the $142,600 Money Link – Great Immortals jackpot, the $163,100 Hot Shot Inferno jackpot, the $164,400 Golden Fire Link jackpot, the 168,600 Quick Hits Platinum jackpot and the $345,200 Wheel of Fortune Triple Star jackpot. The largest of the six-figure jackpots at Empire City Casino, however, is the $412,100 Hot Shot Twin Fire jackpot.

Ed Domingo, president and chief operating officer of MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino described the energy at the venue as “electric” and said that another million-dollar moment is waiting to happen. He also noted that the company has now added over 1,000 new state-of-the-art games to its gaming floor.

Another Player May Join Empire City’s Millionaires Club Soon

Speaking of jackpots, MGM Resorts’ Empire City Casino already handed five six-figure jackpots this year. These included a $144,600 jackpot on Light & Wonder Money Link, a $124,600 jackpot on Light & Wonder Ultimate Fire Link, a $122,800 jackpot on Light & Winder Monopoly Money, a $116,200 jackpot on IGT Samurai 888 Takeo Progressive and a $100,000 jackpot on Light & Wonder Double Jackpot Wild.

In the meantime, the eventual winner of the current IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars jackpot would join the Empire City Millionaires Club. The club’s most recent member is Leo of Yonkers who took home some $1.9 million in December 2022.

For reference, the highest jackpot ever won at Empire City stood at almost $2.92 million and was won by Theresa of Ossining, the only two-time member of the casino’s Millionaire Club who had previously won a $1.47 million prize.

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Sports betting and online gambling may become a reality for Brazil as early as 2024 after an important decision taken by the country’s Chamber of Deputies. In a final voting session on Thursday, the Deputies voted to approve Bill 3,626/2023, a proposal that called for the regulation of sports betting, as announced by Agência Câmara de Notícias. Earlier this month, the same proposal was reviewed by the Senate. While Senate members approved the sports betting part of the bill, they voted against the included text related to online gambling activities. This pushed the bill once again into the hands of the Chamber of Deputies.

Regardless of the Senate’s decision, the latest vote reinstated the bill’s text that involved iGaming. This in other words helped overturn the decision made by the Senate, at least for the moment. Unlike the Senate vote, where a majority of the members were against online gambling, a majority of 261 of the Deputies voted in favor of online gambling. In contrast, the votes against iGaming on Thursday were only 120.

Thanks to the latest decision, Bill 3,626/2023 has gained further traction and now awaits final approval. The proposal that calls for the regulation of sports betting and online gambling activities now heads to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. If the president signs off on the proposal, this would mark its final step before becoming law, effectively paving the way for legal iGaming and sports betting activities across Brazil.

Proposed Bill Sets Tax Rate, License Fees for Betting and iGaming Operators

Initially, the proposed bill offered an 18% tax on the revenues for betting and iGaming operators. However, undergoing significant changes, the latest proposal features a 12% tax on gambling revenue. On the other hand, bettors are also subject to a tax rate which is 15% on their winnings.

Similar to other betting and online gambling markets, operators in Brazil will be subject to a license fee. The license fee was set at BRL 30 million ($6.1 million), permitting operators to operate up to three brands for five years. When it comes to regulation of the gambling activities, the bill designated the country’s Ministry of Finance.

The traction gained by the gambling legislation comes at a time when earlier this week, the Chamber of Deputies voted in favor of a proposal that prohibited the promotion of unregulated gambling websites by social media influencers. That proposal, seeking to reduce the share of the black market, effectively prohibited influencers from promoting unregulated gambling activities through stories, videos or any form of online communication.

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The University of Iowa has announced that 11 of its current student-athletes are set to face NCAA eligibility impacts in the aftermath of a comprehensive sports wagering inquiry that spanned over three months. The Iowa athletics department unveiled the reinstatement “determinations” by the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement (SAR) staff in a press release on August 22.

Athletes Not Linked to Probe Await NCAA Verdict

While the identities of the affected athletes are yet to be disclosed, the university has clarified that the release of specifics will be contingent upon receiving consent from the individuals involved, as required by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The institution is striving to adhere to legal and ethical considerations while sharing information.

The NCAA had introduced revised guidelines earlier in the summer, outlining a spectrum of penalties ranging from mandatory sports wagering education to the potential forfeiture of collegiate eligibility for good. The consequences appear especially dire for current Iowa football players Aaron Blom, a kicker, and Jak Johnson, a wide receiver, both of whom face allegations of tampering with records and accusations of placing bets on their own team.

The gravity of the repercussions remains unclear for athletes not implicated in the ongoing criminal probe. Iowa’s interim athletics director, Beth Goetz, stated last week that while the prescribed penalties are widely known, the NCAA’s approach typically includes factoring in mitigating circumstances that could have contributed to the violations.

Iowa Universities Grapple with Gambling Scandal Fallout

The University of Iowa’s response to the NCAA’s decisions underscores its commitment to the well-being and rights of its student-athletes. The institution is firmly in favor of those individuals opting to appeal the SAR staff’s decisions. The university pledged to provide unwavering support to student-athletes pursuing the appeal process.

The ripple effects of the investigation have extended beyond the confines of Iowa City. Iowa State University is facing a similar gambling inquiry, with approximately 15 student-athletes reportedly under scrutiny. However, as of the most recent update, the school has not made any announcements concerning eligibility determinations.

Last week Iowa State University’s football program faced turmoil as starting defensive lineman Isaiah Lee departed amid an ongoing gambling investigation. Lee, accused of betting on Iowa State sports, including games involving his own team, potentially jeopardizes his athletic eligibility under NCAA regulations. The scandal has impacted other players, including quarterback Hunter Dekkers, prompting the university to collaborate with the NCAA to address eligibility concerns.

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