Casino City’s Friday Five: NFL survivor, openings and jackpots edition
Beyond that drama, the week brought two big jackpots at Mohegan Sun, a new tower debut at a Las Vegas-area resort, the return of a Nevada poker room, and jail time for a WhatsApp bookie in the U.K.
Let’s take a look at some jackpots from Connecticut:
5. Two lucky guests win big at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan saw several massive payouts within the last month and it started online.
In late November, a Pennsylvania resident won a record-breaking $506,300 playing Huff N' Even More Puff on Mohegan PA Online Casino.
Just a few days later, a guest just turned $5 into nearly $1 million at Mohegan Sun. On 4 December, a Connecticut resident was playing on a Spanish 21 table in Casino of the Sky when they hit the Triple Diamond progressive jackpot for $940,658. The win came after the guest was dealt a “21,” which earned them a spin on the wheel thanks to the $5 side bet.
Also on 4 December, a Massachusetts resident walked away with a massive jackpot while playing in Casino of the Sky. “Johnny Jackpot” was playing on a Triple Double Bonus Poker machine when he spun quad aces and won $100,000.
Another massive win at Mohegan Sun! ?? A guest walked away with a whopping $940,658 after hitting the Triple Diamonds Progressive Jackpot on Spanish 21! ?????? pic.twitter.com/F96u77mK4s
— Mohegan Sun ?? (@MoheganSun) December 10, 2025
4. Green Valley Ranch to open new poker room next week
Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino will usher in the return of poker to the Henderson community with the debut of its new Poker Room on 18 December.
Located in its original position on the casino floor, the redesigned room will feature 15 new tables, upgraded audio/visual elements, and 24/7 operation.
The new Poker Room will launch with a 24/7 Mystery High Hand Promotion running 18 December through 1 January, awarding $50–$500 every thirty minutes. All high-hand winners will also be entered into a $5,000 drawing on 1 January.
3. Ilegal WhatsApp bookie sentenced
A U.K. man who ran an illegal WhatsApp gambling business and failed to pay a customer’s £269,000 account balance received a 30-week suspended jail sentence and a 200-hour community service order.
Haydon Simcock, 40, of Stoke on Trent, was also ordered to carry out 20 hours rehabilitation activity in addition to paying £230,000 compensation to the victim and £60,000 U.K. Gambling Commission costs.
Simcock admitted to providing gambling to consumers without an operating license between 18 October 2023 and 11 September 2024, and advertising unlawful gambling without an operating license between 26 May 2023 and 1 March 2024.
A man from Stoke-on-Trent has received a 30 week suspended sentence after a joint investigation by the Gambling Commission and @StaffsPolice found he ran an illegal WhatsApp gambling business.
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) December 9, 2025
To read more about the story, visit our website ?? https://t.co/ympo0MrokK pic.twitter.com/pA7aSObZfI
2. Circa Survivor down to 11 entries
Heading into Thursday Night Football, only 11 entries remained in Circa Survivor after 889 of the 900 entries that started Week 13 were eliminated over an 11-day span, tightening the competition for the $18.7 million prize.
Circa Survivor had 45 entries enter into Week 14, with 28 – more than 60% of the remaining field – backing Tampa Bay at home against divisional rival New Orleans, and the Bucs fell late to the Saints. The second-most selected team was Cleveland, chosen five times at home against Tennessee.
With 11 entries left, each carries an implied value of just over $1.7 million.
1. M Resort Spa Casino celebrates grand opening of new hotel tower
Last week, M Resort Spa Casino celebrated the grand opening of the resort’s expansion and officially welcomed the new East Tower to the Las Vegas skyline.
The project nearly doubled its room inventory with 375 new guest rooms, expanded convention space, and enhancements to the casino floor.
Attendees of the ceremonial opening gathered outdoors as fireworks lit up the evening sky to mark the debut of the East Tower. The celebration continued with a live performance by Jefferson Starship.
POV: You’re one of the first people to check-into our new hotel tower ??? pic.twitter.com/VCvDdxmLHy
— M Resort Spa Casino (@MResort) December 9, 2025