Any jackpot win brings excitement to the lucky few who are able to experience it. While some gamblers may lose thousands without winning a grand prize, others have luck on their side which is why they get the thrill and excitement of going home with a hefty payout. This is precisely the case of one Plaza Hotel & Casino visitor in Las Vegas, who recently collected a six-digit win after gambling at the casino.

The lucky winner, Shawn, whose surname was not disclosed, played Pai Gow poker on Tuesday. Hitting a seven-card straight flush, the lucky gambler secured the game’s progressive jackpot. The grand prize from Pai Gow poker secured by Shawn was $206,589.

In addition, the man won a Fortune Bonus bet, which added an extra $12,500 to the progressive jackpot. Overall, Shawn secured a $219,089 payday after his visit to the popular casino located in the heart of downtown Las Vegas.

According to FOX5, Shawn is a local player from Las Vegas. After he scored the jackpot from the game, the grand prize was reset to $10,000.

“Congratulations to Shawn on his 7-card straight flush on Pai Gow poker for a total progressive hit of $206,589 as well as a Fortune Bonus bet for another $12,500. The total amount of the win was $219,089,“

reads a statement released by Plaza Hotel & Casino

More Winners Secure Jackpots

The latest win comes on the heels of another thrilling jackpot drop at Plaza Hotel & Casino. Last week, a visitor of the downtown casino was able to secure a four-figure jackpot after placing a bet that was less than one dollar. At the time, the lucky player hit a $7,721 jackpot with a $0.75 bet. Undoubtedly, the person who won the jackpot will never forget this visit.

Earlier this month, a young person celebrated his 21st birthday and was able to score a whopping win of nearly $363,000 at a Las Vegas casino. The lucky young man visited the LINQ Hotel+ Experience and started gambling shortly after turning 21.

To his surprise, after 30 minutes, the young man secured a $362,640 MEGA Progressive jackpot from playing Ultimate Texas Hold’em, local media reported at the time.

The post Plaza Hotel & Casino Celebrates Two Jackpot Hits appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A class-action lawsuit, which presented price-fixing claims against major Las Vegas hotels, has been dismissed by a federal judge. Thus, Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, and Treasure Island scored a big victory in prolonged legal proceedings, which started over a year ago.

Lawsuit Alleges Price-Fixing Conspiracy Among Major Las Vegas Hotel Operators

The lawsuit was filed back in January 2023 by Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro on behalf of two tourists who sought repayment for alleged overcharges. The lawsuit accused major Las Vegas hotel operators such as Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts, Wynn Resorts, and Treasure Island that they have made surreptitious agreements aiming to inflate room prices with the help of data-sharing software called Rainmaker. 

Allegedly the operators used the software developed by Florida-based Cyndyn Group to share sensitive pricing information among themselves, which then resulted in artificially high room rates.

The plaintiffs challenged the major Las Vegas operators under the Sherman Antitrust Act, which aims to prevent anti-competitive practices that could harm consumers.

In the recent hearing in connection with the case, US District Chief Judge Miranda Du dismissed the lawsuit, reported The Las Vegas Review-Journal. She stated that plaintiffs did not prove that there was in fact a clear price fixing agreement among the hotel operators.

Du’s decision followed another dismissal of the lawsuit that happened in October 2023. The plaintiffs then filed an amended complaint but still, the judge found their allegations insufficient to establish a plausible case of price-fixing.

Lawsuit Claims Bias in Vegas Hotel Pricing Software, Judge’s Ruling Highlights Gray Area

According to the claims in the lawsuit, using Rainmaker’s software affected the normal market competition as it provided biased pricing recommendations, which the plaintiffs claimed were in favor of the hotel operators. As a result, the room prices had higher rates for consumers. 

However, Judge Du pointed out that hotel operators do not have to align their prices with the suggestions from Rainmaker, which weakened the plaintiffs’ argument.

Hotel operators’ representatives hailed the decision but also stressed that they are committed to fair business practices.

At the same time, the legal representatives of the plaintiffs said that they are currently considering their options and may potentially file for an appeal.  

Last year in April, the Las Vegas hotel-casino operators also sought to dismiss the class-action lawsuit, refuting the plaintiff’s claims and dubbing them a conspiracy. 

Back then, Amanda Belarmino, an assistant professor at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV, also opposed the allegations as unfounded. She attributed the high room rates to implications following the removal of pandemic restrictions. 

The post Las Vegas Hotel Price Fixing Lawsuit Dismissed by Federal Judge appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The Potawatomi Amplified Concert Series will welcome Snoop Dog as its initial headliner, engaging Potawatomi Casino Hotel guests with an unforgettable performance. The casino and hospitality venue will host this concert outdoors and will welcome almost 5,000 patrons.

The temporary concert venue will be set up on the former Cargill lot and will cover up to 200,000 square feet. The concert area will be able to welcome up to 4,800 patrons and will include a variety of seating options. Food and beer trucks at the venue will offer refreshments to visitors.

Concertgoers will be able to park at the Potawatomi Casino Hotel parking lot, which has a capacity for over 4,500 vehicles.

The concert is set to take place on June 15. Tickets can be purchased at paysbig.com, the Potawatomi’s official website, with prices varying from $89 to $249.  

Potawatomi Casino Promises an Unforgettable Summer

Snoop Dogg, the highlight of the event, was described as an “entertainment industry mogul” by Potawatomi Casino Hotel. The tribal casino operator highlighted the singer’s experience in acting, media, business, Web 3.0, tech, entertainment and lifestyle, praising him for “raising the entertainment bar as a globally recognized innovator.”

Potawatomi Casino Hotel’s chief executive officer, Dominic Ortiz, said that the upcoming summer will be one of the most exciting summers Milwaukee has ever experienced. According to him, the Potawatomi Casino Hotel team wanted to give the people of southeastern Wisconsin “one more reason to visit the Potawatomi Casino.”

We are rolling out Potawatomi Amplified and the temporary venue, to host three concerts and we think people will be really excited when they hear the names we plan to announce.

Dominic Ortiz, CEO, Potawatomi Casino Hotel

This isn’t the first time Snoop Dogg has teamed up with a gambling industry player either. Earlier this year, the rapper participated in Roobet’s Make It Rain with Snoop Dogg campaign. The entertainment powerhouse was selected as Roobet’s official “Chief Ganjaroo Officer” in March and has been working with the operator ever since.

The post Potawatomi Casino Hotel to Host a Snoop Dogg Concert appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Galaxy Entertainment Group, a market leader in gaming and hospitality, has formed a historic partnership with Capella Hotels and Resorts, the best hotel brand in the world, according to Travel + Leisure Magazine. As a result, the former company’s Galaxy Macau property will become the home of the first Capella property in The Greater Bay Area.

Capella’s 5-star hotel is expected to open by the middle of 2025 and will bring visitors the quality the brand is usually associated with. The new property will enhance the Galaxy Macau complex and would redefine Macau leisure.

Capella at Galaxy Macau will feature a 17-storey hotel with 36 Sky Villas and 57 suites. The luxurious property has been designed by the renowned French firm Moinard Bētaille which has drawn strong inspirations by the local flora.

The Sky Villas will feature a balcony, infinity-edge pool, outdoor lounge, sunroom and hidden winter garden, allowing guests to experience a truly relaxing atmosphere. The villas also sport amenities like a karaoke room, a cocktail bar with a selection of rare whiskies and a games lounge, among others.

The Capella at Galaxy Macau hotel will also sport a variety of other luxurious facilities and premium dining options. The property will notably collaborate with Chef Vicky Cheng to provide guests with an opportunity to dine at an outstanding restaurant.

Capella at Galaxy Macau Will Redefine Luxury

Galaxy Entertainment Group’s vice chairman, Francis Lui, said that his team is looking forward to welcoming guests to this ultra-luxurious hotel. According to him, the tie-up with Capella Hotels and Resorts reflects his team’s desire to create memorable properties within the Galaxy Macau integrated resort and beyond.

We are honored that the globally acclaimed Capella Hotels and Resorts has chosen to partner with us, enabling the world’s most discerning guests to forge new and authentic connections with Macau – a global arts and entertainment hub with a rich cultural history and gateway to the Greater Bay Area.

Francis Lui, VP, Galaxy Entertainment Group

According to Lui, the new addition to the integrated resort will help Galaxy Macau remain ahead of the curve when it comes to providing luxurious hospitality experiences in Macau.

Evan Kwee, vice chairman of Capella Hotel Group, called the creation of the new hotel a “pivotal moment” for his company. He said that his team hopes that the property will introduce visitors to Macau’s rich cultural heritage.

Moinard Bētaille’s Bruno Moinard and Claire Bētaille also commented on the matter, thanking Galaxy Entertainment Group for providing them with exceptional freedom when it came to designing Capella at Galaxy Macau. Chef Cheng also commented on the matter, saying that she cannot wait to impress Capella at Galaxy Macau guests with French-meets-Chinese flavors.

Speaking of Galaxy Entertainment, in February, the company published its Q4 and full-year results, highlighting a strong post-COVID recovery.

The post Galaxy Macau Teams Up with Capella Hotels and Resorts for a New 5-Star Hotel appeared first on Keno Wizard.

MGM Resorts International has promoted from within, appointing Niklas Rytterstrom as the COO and president of the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. The company confirmed the news on Monday and said that Rytterstrom will be involved with the business’s day-to-day and oversee the casino’s strategic expansion and operations.

Bringing in a Seasoned Veteran at the Borgata

Rytterstrom is a seasoned company veteran who first entered the company in 1999 and started out as assistant hotel manager at Bellagio Resort & Casino over on the West Coast in Las Vegas. He has held various roles throughout the company, including general manager of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and he oversaw the MGM Resorts acquisition in 2022, ensuring a smooth transition.

He also served stints as COO at The Mirage, Excalibur and Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, among other positions of power and responsibility. Commenting on his appointment, Rytterstrom added:

I’m honored to be embarking on this new journey at Borgata. This property is an integral part of the Atlantic City community, and I can’t wait to jump in and continue to help drive growth and success throughout not just this amazing city but New Jersey and surrounding regions.

Niklas Rytterstrom, COO and president of the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

He will similarly work on building a strong rapport with employees, elevate the company’s guest service, and strengthen community relations so that the Borgata is seen as an important landmark in the area.

A Warm Welcome for an Important Colleague

The newly appointed executive succeeds Travis Lunn on the job, who is heading back to Las Vegas as COO of the Mandalay Bay and Luxor, as well as MGM properties.

Commenting on this corporate rejuggle, MGM Resorts president of operations Steve Zanella said that the company was very happy to welcome Rytterstrom in this new role as his intimate knowledge of the Atlantic City business and the Borgata would allow him to navigate the business towards new heights.

“Nik’s strong leadership skills and strategic vision will continue to differentiate Borgata in a competitive landscape and enhance its position as a market leader,” Zanella explained. Rytterstrom holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration and was named in the “Top 25 People to Watch in 2024” by Global Gaming Business Magazine.

The post MGM appoints Niklas Rytterstrom as COO of Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The approval, listed in URA data released at the end of the December 2023 quarter, allows Marina Bay Sands (MBS) to proceed with its expansion project, which significantly bolsters guest capacity, expanding the venue’s impressive hotel and retail space. The project is situated alongside MBS’s existing three towers and should help attract new customers, significantly bolstering revenues.

The Operator Met All Regulatory Requirements

The approved project encompasses the construction of a hotel with 587 rooms, covering 153,100 square meters of hotel space and an additional 12,185 square meters allocated for retail space. The new tower will occupy an empty plot adjacent to MBS’s existing three towers. MBS has not provided a firm timeline, but the project’s scale means its completion will likely extend beyond 2024.

Securing official government approval marks a crucial milestone in the integrated resort operator’s expansion plans. MBS parent firm Las Vegas Sands (LVS) president and COO Patrick Dumont noted that the company maintained close collaboration with the Singapore government, ensuring that the fourth tower project would meet all regulatory requirements.

There’s a lot of moving parts here, a lot of things we have to satisfy. We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable with it and that we get all the proper approvals.

Patrick Dumont,  Las Vegas Sands president and COO

While MBS’ initial 2019 plans envisioned a fourth hotel tower with roughly 1,000 new rooms, recent upgrades to the property’s existing hotel spaces have focused on introducing new suite products. The revamp of Towers 1 and 2 increased the number of suites from 137 to 422, giving the company more flexibility with the design of Tower 4.

Tower 4 Will Elevate the Guest Experience to New Heights

Las Vegas Sands is targeting an annualized EBITDA of over $3 billion for MBS once the construction of the fourth tower is completed. Following the release of financial results for Q4 and FY23, which showed MBS recording annual EBITDA of $1.86 billion, with a record $544 million in the December quarter, LVS chairman and CEO Robert Goldstein expressed confidence in continued profit growth.

MBS likewise hopes the planned expansion will bolster the resort’s popularity, attracting more guests. The company highlighted that the new tower will contain a “rooftop attraction” featuring a sky pool and signature restaurant, MICE facilities comprising meeting rooms, function rooms, and exhibition halls, along with a state-of-the-art live entertainment area seating a minimum of 15,000 people.

LVS sees substantial potential for profit growth in the coming years, leveraging the iconic status of Marina Bay Sands and ongoing upgrade works. The resort has become a mainstay of Singapore’s tourism sector and should continue enjoying significant success, revitalized by the addition of the upcoming tower and its industry-leading amenities.

The post Marina Bay Sands Receives Green Light for Fourth Hotel Tower appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Mohegan’s South Korean venture, the Mohegan INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, has been given a prestigious five-star hotel rating. The rating follows a comprehensive assessment of the property by the Korea Tourism Association’s Korean Hotel Rating System.

The five-star rating reflects the excellence of the hotel and its facilities and attests to Mohegan’s commitment to best-in-class hospitality experiences.

The hotel is built on the beautiful Yeongjong Island in Incheon and is designed to mirror its surroundings’ beauty. The complex boasts three distinctively themed towers, namely the Forest Tower, Sun Tower and Ocean Tower. The resort has some 1,275 rooms, ranging from deluxe accommodations to extravagant villa suites. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of guest lounges, spa services, a fitness center and an indoor pool.

In addition to allowing its customers to truly relax, Mohegan Inspire also offers a variety of restaurants and bars, such as Minagi, Hong Pan, Brasserie 1783, Garden Farm Café, Chef’s Kitchen, Aurora Bar and Horizon Lounge, as well as the first Eurasian Michael Jordan Steak House and MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill.

Mohegan Wants to Provide Guests with Unparalleled Experiences

Ray Pineault, Mohegan’s chief executive officer, commented on the five-star rating, calling it a testament to his team’s “relentless pursuit of excellence.”

This milestone reflects our team’s dedication to upholding the highest standards in the industry, and it reinforces our position as a leader in global entertainment and hospitality.

Ray Pineault, CEO, Mohegan

Mohegan INSPIRE’s president, Chen Si, also commented on the matter, saying that he is delighted that the property’s hotel facility has achieved this prestigious rating. He thanked his team for making this possible and working hard across all areas, including facility, hospitality and operations management.

What incredible momentum going into this first quarter celebrating the casino’s grand opening – that’s how Mohegan continually sets the standard for integrated resorts that create unforgettable experiences.

Chen Si, president, Mohegan INSPIRE

Mohegan INSPIRE is set to launch its comprehensive Phase 1A facilities by the middle of the year. The INSPIRE Mall will open in early 2024, providing visitors with a dynamic cultural hub. In the spring, INSPIRE is also set to introduce an outdoor experiential space.

The post Mohegan INSPIRE Receives Five-Star Hotel Rating appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Atari’s Las Vegas hotel might become a reality this year, according to reports. The planned Las Vegas property was first proposed in 2020 and will be one of the first locations for what Atari hopes to become a chain of branded hotels.

GSD Group, the company behind the Atari-branded hotels project, provided renderings of the Las Vegas back in 2020, announcing that the property will sport some 400 rooms and will occupy a 5-to-7-acre site near the famed Las Vegas Strip.

The group originally hoped to open the hotel by the end of 2022. However, these plans never came to fruition and, since the release of the initial renderings, the developer has been more or less silent on the matter.

However, an Atari-branded hotel might be on the table for 2024, it seems. The Las Vegas Review-Journal just spoke with an Atari Hotels spokesperson who teased that the developer is currently on the lookout for a suitable 5-to-7-acre site near the Strip. In an email, the spokesperson told the news outlet that the matter is currently being discussed with partners.

In the meantime, the website for the Atari-branded hotel project also remains live, teasing at the possibility of such a property becoming a reality very soon. More news will likely be shared in the first half of the year.

Atari Wants to Build Hotels in a Number of US Cities

Atari’s plan for a chain of hotels also includes plans for properties in seven other cities across the United States. The company already has renderings for some of these properties, although the COVID pandemic prevented it from proceeding with any of them.

The company’s goal is to launch a trend-setting chain of modern hotels offering unparalleled hospitality experiences inspired by video gaming culture. While Atari never quite managed to catch up to its video gaming competitors, such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft, the company still holds a special place in the hearts of many people who grew up with its games.

The plans for a chain of hotels demonstrate Atari’s desire to expand into other sectors while maintaining its fondness for video gaming.

The post Atari’s Las Vegas Hotel May Become a Reality Very Soon appeared first on Keno Wizard.

Hard Rock International has begun work on its joint project with the Tejon Indian Tribe in California. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon featured a commemorative shovel groundbreaking and was attended by representatives of both Hard Rock and the Tejon Indian Tribe.

Described as an exciting day for the state, the ceremony is also a symbolic development for the tribe, which has been landless for more than 150 years. The new casino is a major victory for the Tejon, which, according to its chairman, Octavio Escobedo, is finally close to the “dream of self-determination through economic development.”

The casino hotel will create 2,000 construction-specific jobs and will be managed by the Penta Building Group. After its completion, the property is expected to create roughly 5,000 jobs, both full-time and part-time.

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon will also boast 150,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino is set to have 2,500 slot machines, 48 gaming tables and video poker. The property will also sport a multitude of dining options, a pool, a spa, a theater and 400 hotel rooms.

The casino hotel is expected to be completed within 22 months.

Hard Rock Names a New SVP of Hotel Operations

In the meantime, Hard Rock International expanded its team with the appointment of John Rees as its new senior vice president of hotel operations. The new appointee will be responsible for leading and supporting all facets of hotel operations and will serve directly under Jon Lucas, the company’s chief operating officer.

Rees boasts some 30 years in the hospitality industry and is a passionate innovator. He completed his hospitality studies at Newbury College and has since also secured certifications in restaurant management, leadership training and wine studies from acclaimed universities. Rees completed his hospitality training at the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern, Switzerland. He also holds an Honorary Degree in Culinary Arts from the Long Island Culinary Federation.

Rees said that he is thrilled to join the company at what he called a “pivotal point” for the Hard Rock brand.

Our future pipeline of hotel projects is very robust which will allow me to work with my teams to innovate and create more of the special brand touchpoints and guest experiences our fans expect.

John Rees, SVP of hotel operations, Hard Rock International

Rees concluded that he hopes to turn Hard Rock’s hotels into cool places to stay and feel like a VIP.

The post Hard Rock Begins Construction of New Casino, Hires a New SVP of Hotel Operations appeared first on Keno Wizard.

A homicide suspect has been apprehended at the Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The man in question is Arthur Guty Jr, 55, who is suspected of having killed his own wife, Nicole Zambrano, in Pennsylvania.

The 26-year-old Venezuelan woman worked as a housekeeper at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort but didn’t turn up to work for three days last week. Her colleagues were unable to contact her and became concerned. Because of that, they called the police, which, in turn, contacted Guty.

Guty, authorities say, provided inaccurate and conflicting information. However, the police eventually found the young woman’s body at the couple’s residence in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on Monday. This prompted an immediate investigation and a search for Guty.

Using Guty’s mobile device pings, the police managed to track the man to Las Vegas. The local authorities were contacted and were able to apprehend the man after looking for him for 12 hours. He was eventually discovered eating breakfast at the casino. At the time of his arrest, the man had $100,000 in cash in his possession.

Pennsylvania authorities want Guty to be extradited from Nevada so that he can be questioned in the state where the homicide happened. A warrant from the former state’s authorities charges Guty with criminal homicide and aggravated assault. The counts are yet to be officialized.

Guty Tried to Escape, Authorities Believe

Considering Guty’s situation and the money he carried with him, authorities believe that the man was trying to escape from the police. This theory is further supported by the fact that Guty provided the authorities with faulty information when asked about his wife’s whereabouts.

According to the local authorities, Guty first said that his wife was in Richmond to see a friend. He also said that she was in Florida with Guty to see his father and a dentist, as well as in Richmond to meet with Guty. At one point he also said that his wife was at the Grand Canyon.

Bob Luick, a neighbor of the couple, was interviewed by local news outlets and said that Guty suspected Zambrano was cheating on him. According to Luick, back then Guty warned that he would “kill her” if this turned out to be correct.

A Cycle of Violence

According to reports, Guty himself was the target of a murder plot previously. While this case bears no direct connection to the recent killing of Zambrano, the authorities learned that Guty’s ex-wife, Roxanne Guty, had attempted to hire a hitman and take half of Arthur Guty’s life insurance.

Roxanne Guty eventually pled guilty to lesser charges.

The post Alleged Wife Murderer Arrested at Las Vegas’ Mardi Gras Hotel & Casino appeared first on Keno Wizard.