Casino City’s Friday Five: A new look Las Vegas edition

The Tropicana Las Vegas is set to be imploded soon after shutting its doors earlier this year. Meanwhile, another Las Vegas resort has joined a new loyalty program. In other news, a California casino guest won over $1 million, Churchill Downs revealed renovation plans for the home of the Kentucky Derby, and UAE issued its first lottery license.

Let’s begin with a seven-figure win:

5. Thunder Valley Casino Resort player hits $1.2 million jackpot
The winning guest, Allen Kessler, was playing Buffalo Power Pay on 30 July at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in California when he hit the massive jackpot.

The $1.2 million jackpot was awarded from the game’s Power Pay Instant Feature that awards a large number of bonus games.

BUFFALOOO! Allen kept calm and carried on to win the Power Grand on Buffalo Power Pay with a 1.2 million (and change) jackpot! ???? pic.twitter.com/4kKhZmiyQL

— Thunder Valley Casino Resort (@Thunder_Valley) July 30, 2024

4. UAE issues first lottery license
The General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, the federal entity overseeing commercial gaming activities in the United Arab Emirates, announced it has awarded a license to operate the UAE’s first authorized lottery operation.

The lottery license was awarded to The Game LLC, a commercial gaming operator specializing in game development, lottery operations, and gaming-related content. Operating under the banner of the “UAE Lottery”, the GCGRA’s first licensee will offer a range of lottery games and other games.

The deal marks a new milestone in the GCGRA’s endeavor to establish a regulated commercial gaming sector in the UAE.

3. The Cosmo joins MGM Rewards loyalty program
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is now officially integrated into MGM Rewards, allowing members to earn and redeem MGM Rewards at the Las Vegas Strip resort.

Former Identity members of The Cosmopolitan can now unlock perks at over 20 MGM Resorts' properties nationwide including access to more than 40,000 hotel rooms and luxury suites.

MGM Rewards members with select tier status are invited to enjoy their enhanced tier benefits at The Cosmopolitan, including priority access lines, waived resort fees, air travel credits, dining credits and cruise offers.

Identity Points accumulated in The Cosmopolitan's former Identity rewards program through 29 July have been transferred to those members' MGM Rewards accounts as MGM Rewards Points and Slot Dollars and members immediately qualify for free play offers, promotions and discounted rooms at all MGM Resorts' destinations, consistent with program rules.

Your next obsession. @MGMRewards, coming soon to The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/naSqDoys38

— The Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan_LV) July 28, 2024

2. Churchill Downs reveals Grandstand Club and Pavilion renovation plans
Last week, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced an $80-$90 million renovation to the existing grandstand at Churchill Downs Racetrack that will update ticketed seating options while improving and adding to the amenities available for all guests in the grandstand area.

Construction on the Grandstand Club and Pavilion is scheduled to begin later this month with completion planned in time for the 151st Kentucky Derby in May 2025.

The renovation of the Grandstand Club will transform existing outdoor aluminum bleachers into a combination of 8,300 new comfortable seating varieties.

The Grandstand Pavilion will create a more upscale social environment by converting the existing second-floor amenity area into a covered outdoor garden environment with new concessions, bars and wagering windows.

Churchill Downs is proud to announce an $80-90 million renovation of the Grandstand including updated seating options, trackside boxes, and first-floor amenities!

Learn More ?? https://t.co/iO80C2lzX7 pic.twitter.com/lZqH5CtdS0

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) July 24, 2024

1. Tropicana Las Vegas implosion dates
When will the Tropicana Las Vegas be imploded? Our most recent This Week in Gambling video gives a pretty good idea now that the permits have been filed, But could a buyout of Bally Corporation put the new Vegas baseball stadium deal in jeopardy?

While we can’t give an exact date, we do have enough information to narrow down the date to a specific time frame.

Bally’s Corporation submitted an explosive use permit application on 11 July for “The Implosion of the Tropicana and Paradise Towers.” The proposed timeline for the “move-in” is 30 September, with a “move-out” scheduled for 8 October. This strongly suggests that the Tropicana implosion could take place during that time.

While we don’t officially understand what the move in and move out dates are, it seems reasonable that those would be the dates the implosion company arrives and departs.