Casino City's Friday Five: Big money edition
Perhaps most notably, over the course of the past year PokerStars Casino has paid out something like $17 million to 10 lucky players, none of which were any of us here at Casino City, which is depressing. But still, we're happy for them. Actually, can you excuse us for a minute? We hear the Genie Jackpots prize is nearing $500,000 again.
5. MGM Springfield to become first in region to offer Topgolf Swing Suite experience
Topgolf Las Vegas comes highly recommended by Casino City's Gary Trask and, seeing how he's the only one among us who really knows his way around the fairway, we trust him. And though this Topgolf sounds like a blast – 300 TVs! Cold beer! The largest venue of its kind! – Vegas may be a trek for some of our readers.
Luckily, MGM Springfield's imminent opening later this year will bring with it the East Coast's very own Topgolf experience. Three high-tech golf simulators in a 2,800-square-foot space will allow guests to play in groups or practice solo while noshing on gourmet bites and sipping luxury cocktails. For some after-game fun, head to the lounge area and watch a game on one of multiple HDTVs, or enjoy a night of live entertainment.
Get ready to be blown away, Springfield, MA. #TopgolfSwingSuite is coming to the @MGMSpringfield! ?? It’s Topgolf in a suite. pic.twitter.com/zSN43cHrmx
— Topgolf (@Topgolf) March 6, 2018
4. Las Vegas Sands agrees to $1.3 billion sale of Sands Bethlehem
Another gaming powerhouse, Las Vegas Sands Corp., is parting with its Sands Bethlehem property for a tidy sum of $1.3 billion. Wind Creek Hospitality, an affiliate of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of Alabama, will take over. Fortunately, this changing of hands won't affect the work of any of the casino's team members, as the new management is aiming for a smooth transition.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opened back in 2009 and eventually became one of the leading gaming destinations in the U.S. We're eager to see what Wind Creek Hospitality does with the place.
3. Lucky player wins largest ever PokerStars slot jackpot
On to the jackpots! And what better way to begin than with a "largest ever"? "Zafujohn" from the U.K. bet $1.25 on Mega Fortune over at PokerStars Casino and somehow walked away with $3,311,443. As far as investments go, that's not bad.
Zafujohn is the second millionaire made at the online casino this year, following a $1,608,448 win in February by 'Zetheriver.'
This win is also the largest online win across all of The Stars Group's brands.
The winner said, "I almost passed out. No, this can't be real," which is a very reasonable reaction when dealing with this much money. The busybody in us wonders what he's going to do with it all.
How would you spend £3.3 million? Here's one answer, from a @PokerStars player who couldn't believe his eyes. What would yours be?: https://t.co/di4LXwoYdB pic.twitter.com/VTMZBS0pZ8
— PokerStarsBlog (@PokerStarsBlog) March 9, 2018
2. Live! Casino player turns $5 into $1 million
Maryland's Live! Casino & Hotel paid out a handsome $1,075,710 to Manuel Ortiz, who bet just $5 on Super 4 Blackjack. He hit the jackpot after only two hours at the table, and the rest is history.
The way the Super 4 Progressive works is that whenever the dealer gets blackjack or when the dealer's "up card" is an ace, the jackpot hits. There are also quite a few hands that pay out tidy prizes of anywhere from $10 to $750.
1. PokerStars Casino crowns 10th millionaire since 2017
And here we have the most satisfying story of all: one in which there are big numbers. Many big numbers. Like we said earlier, an absolutely bonkers $17 million has been paid out over the past year to people who are really, really lucky. Such is the way of the jackpot.
And these wins range from $1 million to $2 million, which is Pretty Damn Good, if you ask us, and it definitely puts PokerStars at the top of our "Casinos to Visit" list. There's still plenty of this year left, so good luck to all of us.