This Week in Gambling

The American Gaming Association has released a new report on Super Bowl bets this year, projecting that Americans will wager a record 1.76 billion dollars legally on the big game. This forecast represents a significant 27 percent increase over the previous year and highlights the rapid expansion of the regulated sports betting industry across the United States. According to the AGA, the growth in Super Bowl bets is driven by the maturation of legal markets in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Missouri is the most recent state to join the legal landscape, having launched its regulated market in…

MGM Resorts International has announced the launch of a new invite-only rewards program known as the Fountain Club. This initiative is designed specifically for high-spending guests who frequent the company’s properties for luxury experiences rather than traditional gambling activities. The move signals a shift in how major resort operators on the Las Vegas Strip identify and reward their most valuable patrons. According to company officials, the Fountain Club targets high-value guests who contribute significantly to non-gaming revenue streams, such as fine dining, premium entertainment, and luxury hotel accommodations. While the company has long offered the MGM Rewards program for its…

Economic data released early this year paints an unsettled picture for the Las Vegas economy as it enters 2026. While the region closed out 2025 with decent performance from casino operators, a combination of shaky employment figures and a persistent lag in Vegas tourism visitation has created a climate of uncertainty for southern Nevada. According to a recent report from the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, the city workforce is beginning to feel the impact of a broader slowdown. Las Vegas lost 4,700 jobs between September and November of last year. The leisure and hospitality sector accounted for…

Planet Hollywood is scheduled to close its poker room on January 31, 2026. This decision marks the second time the casino has shuttered its poker operations in recent years. The current iteration of the Planet Hollywood Poker Room lasted less than nine months after a highly publicized return to the Las Vegas Strip in May 2025. The closure follows a difficult period for the venue, which struggled to maintain a consistent player base despite significant investment. When the Planet Hollywood Poker Room reopened last year, it was moved from its traditional spot on the main gaming floor to a new…

In the Epic Fish Adventure online slot, the action centers on the dynamic Wild Symbols and the lucrative Fish Collection feature. During the game, every Wild fisherman symbol that appears actively reels in the cash values attached to all FISH symbols currently on the reels, paving the way for substantial payouts. This maritime journey takes place on a classic 5×3 grid with 10 fixed paylines, and the slot is balanced with a medium-to-high volatility math model that keeps the tension high. The excitement of theEpic Fish Adventure online slot truly ramps up when the Sea Plane Bonus symbols take flight….

The Golden Gate Casino marked its 120th anniversary this month, reaching a milestone as the oldest continuously operating hotel and casino in Las Vegas while undergoing a significant shift in its gaming operations. Founded in 1906 as the Hotel Nevada, the property celebrated its history with events that highlighted its role as the city’s first permanent hotel. The anniversary follows a major operational transition completed in late 2025. Golden Gate Casino has removed all live dealer table games from its floor, replacing them with electronic table games and digital interfaces. This change was spearheaded by owner Derek Stevens, who also…