Casino City’s Friday Five: Jackpots, loonies and Las Vegas perks

The Canadian dollar is getting a boost — at least in Las Vegas. Three Downtown Las Vegas resorts are now accepting Canadian dollars at par with U.S. currency on select purchases, aiming to offset exchange rates and entice cross-border travelers. Elsewhere, Yonkers Raceway prepares for its 127th season, Caesars celebrates a historic online win, a new Las Vegas Loop station opens, and a temporary casino makes its debut.

Let’s start this Friday off with a jackpot:

5. Largest online jackpot win ever at Caesars online casino
Caesars Entertainment announced that one lucky bettor playing on Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey won $1,247,834 from a $30 bet on MegaJackpots Cash Eruption, the largest online jackpot ever awarded across Caesars’ online casino brands. The jackpot hit on 18 January.

“I was so excited, I couldn’t believe it,” said the Caesars Rewards member who won the jackpot. “I plan to take care of my family.”

This is the third time Mega Jackpots Cash Eruption hit a record-breaking jackpot in the last four months. Play Caesars Palace Online Casino now to hop on the hot streak ??????

21+ to gamble and physically present in MI, NJ, PA, WV. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER pic.twitter.com/KnFv4H0pU2

— Caesars Palace Online Casino (@Caesarsicasino) January 27, 2026

4. Fontainebleau Las Vegas adds Vegas Loop station terminal
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is now home to the Boring Company’s newest Vegas Loop station terminal, making it the only Las Vegas resort to offer complimentary Loop transportation for guests. The Loop is Elon Musk’s underground transportation system that moves passengers through Las Vegas in Tesla vehicles. The new station provides free travel to all Las Vegas Convention Center station terminals and select resort corridor destinations available at this stage.

The new Loop station is located on level V-1 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ South Valet. From the resort, Vegas Loop vehicles connect guests into the underground tunnel system via the Riviera Loop station at the LVCC West Hall, helping reduce travel times for convention attendees while improving connectivity across the Strip’s resort corridor.

All Vegas Loop rides to and from Fontainebleau Las Vegas will be introduced as complimentary for guests.

3. Yokers Raceway begins 127th racing season
Yonkers Raceway marks the beginning of its historic 127th racing season as Empire City Casino in New York unveils a schedule featuring 236 race days, more than any other racetrack in the country.

Fans can enjoy live harness races five days a week at the half-mile track, with more than 80 equine athletes competing nightly.

New elements in effect for the 2026 racing season include an earlier post time of 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and a new rule prohibiting drivers from setting 30-second, second quarters - both aimed at further enhancing the racing experience for fans and drivers.

2. Live! Casino and Hotel Virginia opens temporary casino
Last Friday, the Cordish celebrated the grand opening of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, the region's first full-scale casino.

The temporary property delivers a full-scale gaming experience 24 hours a day, seven days a week, featuring 75,000 square feet of gaming space with more than 900 slot machines and over 30 live-action table games. Guests also can enjoy a signature bar and quick-service restaurant, with more than 1,000 free parking spaces for added convenience.

Construction on the permanent resort continues and is slated to open next year.

1. Three downtown Las Vegas resorts announce At Par promotion
At a time when exchange rates have made U.S. travel significantly more expensive for Canadians, Downtown Las Vegas hotels Circa Resort & Casino, The D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino are launching a new "At Par" commitment that will treat Canadian dollars as U.S. dollars across select gaming, hotel and beverage offerings now through 31 August.

Under the At Par program, eligible Canadian guests receive $1 USD in value for every $1 CAD spent, regardless of daily exchange rates. Available across these three downtown Las Vegas properties, the effort removes one of the biggest financial barriers to U.S. leisure travel.

Canadian guests may redeem up to $500 CAD in slot promotional play, treated at full U.S. dollar value, by visiting Club One at Circa, the D or Golden Gate and presenting a valid Canadian passport or government-issued ID. Canadian guests staying at Circa, the D or Golden Gate will receive the At Par rate at check-in, paying the same number shown in U.S. dollars, charged directly in Canadian dollars, with no exchange rate applied.

???? Canada, your Vegas dollar just went further. ????
We’re officially welcoming Canadian residents AT PAR across gaming, hotel stays, and select bars at #CircaLasVegas, @theDlasvegas, and @GoldenGateVegas.
From the thrill of the casino floor to elevated stays and expertly crafted… pic.twitter.com/DLB03vkANa

— Circa Las Vegas (@CircaLasVegas) January 22, 2026