This Week in Gambling

Michael Mizrachi made poker history this week by capturing the title at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, becoming the first player to win both the WSOP Main Event and the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in his career. The 44-year-old Florida native outlasted a field of 10,234 players to secure the prestigious title and a top prize of $12 million. His victory came after a lengthy final table, which concluded with Mizrachi defeating France’s Hugo Duvall in heads-up play. The final hand saw Mizrachi’s pocket queens hold up against Duvall’s ace-jack, sealing the win. Known as “The…

The Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to approve five-card Pai Gow for Las Vegas casinos following a recommendation from the state’s Gaming Control Board. Developed by Casino Gaming Development, the game was created by Angel Espino as a streamlined version of the traditional seven-card Pai Gow. In this version, players divide five cards into a three-card high hand and a two-card low hand, aiming to beat the dealer’s respective hands. Espino told regulators the simplified structure allows for faster gameplay, fewer errors, and more hands played per hour. The game underwent a successful field trial at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Lucas…

The final table for the WSOP 2025 Main Event has been set, with nine players remaining from the original field of 10,112. The tournament, which began on 3 July at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, is closing in on its $10 million top prize as the last contenders prepare for the final stretch. Each of the nine finalists is guaranteed at least $1 million. Leading the field is Joshua Payne of Ohio, who holds 143.7 million chips. He is followed by Germany’s Thomas Schultz with 127 million and Jonathan Pastore of France with 75.7 million. This year’s final table…

Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a formal opinion declaring that California fantasy sports are illegal under current state law. The opinion, released in early July, states that these contests constitute gambling and are not permitted under California’s long-standing prohibition on sports wagering. According to Bonta’s legal interpretation, fantasy sports contests offered by major platforms like DraftKings, FanDuel, PrizePicks, and Underdog Fantasy violate California’s Penal Code section 337a, which prohibits betting on games of chance. Bonta concluded that daily fantasy sports involve players staking money on uncertain future events, meeting the legal definition of illegal gambling in the state. This…

An iconic 13,200‑square‑foot Elvis Presley Villa at Westgate Las Vegas has been opened. Officially known as the Imperial Sky Villa, the room is tribute to Elvis, and where he lived during his residency which began in 1969. It was formerly called the Tuscany Sky Villa, and it occupies the resort’s top level. The property once housed Presley’s private Las Vegas suite, later altered and renamed but retaining its historical significance. The newly unveiled villa echoes his legacy, featuring multiple bedrooms, living and dining areas, spa-style bathrooms, a private courtyard and pool, and panoramic views of the Strip. A private elevator…

California DFS – or Daily Fantasy sports – has been thrown into uncertainty following a state order that could soon force major platforms to cease operations. The California Department of Justice issued letters to leading DFS companies, warning them to halt operations by early July or face potential enforcement. The directive affects major DFS operators such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and Underdog Fantasy. While the state has long allowed DFS to operate in a legal gray area, the new order asserts that the contests violate California’s gambling laws. The DOJ’s move follows growing pressure from tribal gaming interests and lawmakers who…