Casino City’s Friday Five: Fines, lawsuits and jackpots edition
Let’s begin with a massive lottery payout:
5. $344 million Illinois Lottery win
An Illinois Lottery player won the Mega Millions jackpot in Tuesday’s drawing for $344 million. The winning ticket was purchased at Casey's General Store in Cortland.
The newly-minted millionaire matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball, 1-5-17-39-62-8, to score the coveted top prize.
This is also a win for the retailer, who will receive a cash bonus of $500,000 for selling the winning ticket.
While a $344 million windfall is certainly a life-changing event, it doesn’t come close to cracking the all-time lottery win list we presented earlier this month.
?? Winner Alert: #MegaMillions players, check your ticket! A lucky winner won $349 MILLION last night (ticket purchased at Casey's General Store in CORTLAND, IL)! https://t.co/qw1vShGcVF
— Illinois Lottery (@IllinoisLottery) March 26, 2025
Play for a chance at tonight's $484,000,000 Powerball jackpot: https://t.co/DxWW3CI3LI pic.twitter.com/zDwOMCpZrp
4. Two massive jackpot wins at The Venetian Las Vegas
A guest at The Venetian Las Vegas who wished to remain anonymous was dealt a club royal flush while playing Ultimate Texas Hold'em and won the major tier of the Millionaire Progressive. The guest made the $5 side bet which allowed the major tier of the resort’s Millionaire Progressive for $707,096 to kick in.
Monday morning, another guest at The Venetian who wished to remain anonymous was playing $1 Million Dragon Link in the high limit gaming lounge on The Palazzo casino floor, taking home the Grand Jackpot for $1,215,998 from a $75 bet.
3. Michigan takes action against 10 illegal offshore operators
On Monday, the Michigan Gaming Control Board issued cease-and-desist letters to 10 illegal offshore operators owned by Apex Dynamics, a company based in Belize.
This action underscores the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lawful gaming activities and safeguarding Michigan consumers from unregulated entities.
The following unlicensed operators received cease-and-desist letters from the MGCB for illegally offering a variety of casino-style games to Michigan residents:
- Aladdin’s Gold Casino
- All Star Slots
- Buzz Luck
- Club World Casinos
- CryptoReels
- High Noon Casino
- Lucky Red Casino
- Manhattan Slots Casino
- ReelSpin Casino
- Slotter Casino
The 10 operators have been given 14 days from the date of receipt of their cease-and-desist letters to cease their illegal activities. If they fail to comply, the MGCB will work closely with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office to pursue further legal action.
2. Lawsuit filed over California casino project
The United Auburn Indian Community announced that it filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the U.S. Department of the Interior’s recent approval of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ casino project in Vallejo, California.
The lawsuit argues that the approval violates multiple federal laws and regulations, including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Indian Reorganization Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
UAIC, which owns and operates Thunder Valley Casino Resort, contends that the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval was rushed and politically motivated, occurring just days before the end of the Biden Administration.
The lawsuit further asserts that the Department failed to properly consult with impacted tribal governments, a clear violation of long-standing federal policy.
The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, a gaming and a non- gaming tribe respectively, have filed a companion lawsuit seeking to overturn the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval of the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ casino project.
1. Resorts World Las Vegas to pay $10.5 million fine in illegal bookmaker settlement
The Nevada Gaming Control Board entered into a proposed settlement with Resorts World Las Vegas and its parent companies regarding the complaint for disciplinary action originally filed by the NGCB on 15 August 2024.
The stipulation aims to settle an amended complaint against RWLV, which alleges unsuitable operations due to illegal bookmaking activities by Mathew Bowyer and Damien LeForbes at the property.
The @NevadaGCB issued the following news release today. pic.twitter.com/Q6idFdxJlR
— Nevada Gaming Control Board (@NevadaGCB) March 20, 2025