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  • Fortuna Entertainment Acquires Controlling Stake in Lob, Enters Montenegro

    Fortuna Entertainment Group (FEG), a leading omni-channel betting and gaming operator in Central and Eastern Europe, announced its expansion into Montenegro via a new M&A agreement. Per the announcement, FEG will acquire a majority stake in local gaming leader Lob, cementing its dominance in its target regions.

    FEG Grows Its Presence in Southeast Europe

    FEG, which already has access to the gaming markets of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Croatia, and Romania, has continued its growth journey with an agreement to acquire a 51% stake in Lob.

    Lob, which is Montenegro’s second-largest gaming operator, will allow FEG to expand its geographical presence by entering the Montenegrin market and tapping into the local demand for gaming content.

    The purchase of a 51% stake in Lob was described as “one of the largest foreign direct investments in Montenegro” in recent years. As such, it will bring a variety of opportunities to the local market as well, including FEG’s expertise, which is poised to elevate Lob’s offering.

    FEG Wants to Cement Itself as an Undisputed Leader

    FEG hailed the acquisition as a major milestone in reinforcing the company’s footprint in Southeast Europe. Dieter John, Fortuna Entertainment Group’s chief executive officer, elaborated that the stake in the Montenegrin company was an “important step” in his team’s long-term ambition to become the undisputed leader across many markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

    Lob’s strong market position and digital-first approach make it an ideal partner for our expansion in the region.

    Dieter John, CEO, Fortuna Entertainment Group

    The company concluded that it is thrilled to welcome Lob and its leading brand, Lobbet, to the FEG family.

    Angel Hristov

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  • Lex Veldhuis Gets Needled for Tight Call Against Rival Alan Keating

    PokerStars ambassador Lex Veldhuis made an interesting decision to just call a river bet with a full house against the unpredictable Alan Keating on the newest addition of the PokerStars Big Game on Tour.

    Season 2’s eighth episode, released Sunday on YouTube, featured the addition of high-stakes crusher Chance Kornuth, who replaced Alexander “Wolfgang” Seibt’s empty seat at the six-player table.

    The $200/$400 no-limit hold’em (pot-limit preflop) cash game brought out some juicy action, but PokerStars pro Jason Koon was on the short end of the stick in some of those hands. He lost to a one-outer on the river with pocket aces when Veldhuis and Keating both hit a king on the river for a full house to chop the pot. Koon would later lose with top two pair to Kornuth’s top set.

    New Poker Rivals Go at it Again

    A rivalry between Keating and Veldhuis began brewing last week during Episode 7. Much of the same continued in Episode 8, starting with the poker players chopping two early pots, including the hand mentioned above. They’d play a slightly controversial hand in the newest episode that had Kornuth playfully needling Veldhuis.

    The hand began with Veldhuis raising from an early position to $1,200 with 10♥10♦. The streamer would then call a three-bet to $4,000 from Keating, who had A♠5♥ in the cutoff and hit a big flop — A♣7♣A♥ — with trips.

    Veldhuis checked his pocket pair, and then called a continuation bet of $5,000 before the 9♥ appeared on the turn. The popular poker streamer again checked, and again called a bet — $15,000 this time — drawing to just two outs (technically one as Luke Moy, the “Loose Cannon,” folded a 10 preflop).

    Keating remained well out in front and poised to win a sizable pot, right up until the 10♠ appeared on the river. Veldhuis checked one last time. He’d face a $41,000 river bet and seemed to be in a position to pounce with a massive check raise. But he instead opted to just call and take down the $131,000 pot.

    “Who’s going to say it?” Kornuth asked the table after seeing both hands.

    “I’m not going to say it,” Koon answered.

    “You can never be too careful,” Kornuth joked, playfully needling Veldhuis.

    Veldhuis, in a side interview following the hand, admitted, “I think this is definitely a hand that will get talked about a lot.”

    “I really thought in that moment, I cannot open the door to any craziness and then have to fold because he’s fearless,” Veldhuis said, explaining his decision to call.

    Kornuth then admitted he threw in the needle, but it was “all in good fun.” Veldhuis took no offense and brushed it off as “just regulars ribbing each other.”

    The episode ended after 30 hands — 87 overall. Veldhuis remained out in front with the top profit of $153,300. Moy has dropped a bit, but is still up $13,600. Keating, who dominated the table in Episode 6, is now the biggest loser among those still at the table, down $44,300. The game will last 150 hands, with new episodes each Sunday on YouTube.

    Current Results (87 Hands Played)

    Place Player Profit/Loss Stack Size
    1 Lex Veldhuis $153,300 $353,300
    2 Luke Moy $13,600 $113,600
    3 Chance Kornuth $2,200 $102,200
    4 Jason Koon ($6,300) $143,700
    5 Morgan Jay ($18,500) $81,500
    6 Alan Keating ($44,300) $455,700
    7 Wolfgang ($100,000) $0

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  • Dave Ramsey Says Spouses of Gambling Addicts Need Ultimatum

    Posted on: October 13, 2025, 01:35h. 

    Last updated on: October 13, 2025, 01:46h.

    • Dave Ramsey says gambling addicts need ultimatums from their loved ones
    • Sports betting is a major concern in the money world, Ramsey says

    Dave Ramsey, the star of his namesake nationally syndicated finance radio show, recently heard from a 69-year-old caller who says her husband gambled nearly all of their retirement away on sports.

    Dave Ramsey gambling addiction sports betting
    Dave Ramsey has some tough love for spouses of gambling addicts. He says they must give the addict an ultimatum about their betting problem. (Image: Ramsey Solutions)

    Telling her story under obvious emotional distress, the woman detailed that her 79-year-old husband has lost almost all of their $1 million retirement portfolio betting on sports.

    Saying she only recently became aware that their savings were down to $15K, the woman told Ramsey she began looking into their finances after she found a late notice on their taxes in the mail.

    Ramsey has been hosting “The Ramsey Show” for more than three decades. Among the most listened to radio shows in the US, the daily program airs from 2 pm to 5 pm EST on terrestrial radio and podcast outlets, as well as on iHeartRadio and SiriusXM.

    Addicts Need Ultimatums

    The woman’s husband, who told her he can stop betting at any time and pledged to “get it under control,” needs clear parameters, Ramsey said.

    Call a marriage counselor and someone who does addiction counseling,” Ramsey advised. “Both can give you a framework by which you lead them into an ultimatum, and the ultimatum is: you stop cold turkey, you are going to Gamblers’ Anonymous, and you are going to a therapist.”

    Ramsey said that she needs to tell her husband that if he gambles another dime, “You will not see me anymore.”

    Ramsey has long warned listeners about sports betting.

    Sports betting is probably the fastest growing addictive problem that we’re running into in the money world,” Ramsey said during a February show. “It’s out of control, sports betting. You can bet on anything, and they [addicts] are betting on everything. Some of you are losing your entire futures betting on someone else earning a living.”

    An April report on Ramsey’s website — Ramsey Solutions — said one’s “odds of getting rich off sports betting apps are low.”

    “It takes a huge bankroll to actually make money long term. You’d have to bet hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to see any kind of real money from it,” wrote Ramsey Solutions finance expert George Kamel.                     

    “Don’t use betting on the big game as an investment plan — no matter how much Big Rick with the cheese on his head at the Packers game says you should. Smart investors who want to build wealth the right way don’t gamble on sports betting. They keep their investments diverse in the market and have a long-term mindset,” Kamel continued. 

    Problem Gambling Rate Softens

    In July, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) released a national survey suggesting that the spike in risky gambling behavior observed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat subsided.

    The National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences found that nearly 20 million American adults reported at least one problematic gambling behavior “many times” in the past year. That’s down from 27.5 million in 2021, though that level remains elevated compared with 2018.

    “This new research shows that the nationwide efforts in responsible gambling and public awareness are making a positive impact, but the work is far from over,” said Derek Longmeier, NCPG president. “We must build on this momentum by embedding problem gambling into the broader public health infrastructure and investing in what we know works: collaboration across prevention, education, treatment, and research with the support of the government and communities.”

    Devin O’Connor

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  • MGM CEO Positive on Las Vegas Tourism • This Week in Gambling

    The chief executive of MGM Resorts addressed skepticism over the future of Las Vegas tourism this week, pushing back against criticism and offering a more optimistic view of the city’s prospects. Their CEO, Bill Hornbuckle, spoke before Nevada gaming regulators as part of MGM’s licensing review, calling negative narratives about Las Vegas tourism “silly.” He argued that long-term trends point to steady gains, and that recent soft spots are part of a normal cycle.

    According to Hornbuckle, Las Vegas gaming revenue has grown on average 4.5 to 5 percent per year over the past 30 years. He said that claims of a fundamental decline in demand for the city do not align with that historical record. While acknowledging that the pandemic years were extraordinary, he asserted that the underlying market still remains strong. One of his arguments cited a division in the market: the luxury segment is currently holding up better than lower-price or value offerings.

    Hornbuckle also mentioned a recent promotional effort by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority that nearly doubled room reservations over five days, which he said illustrates the city’s continued allure for travelers. Despite forecasts suggesting a roughly 11 percent drop in visitor numbers in 2025 compared with the prior year, he struck an upbeat tone. He noted that strong events such as the Super Bowl and the Las Vegas Grand Prix helped drive 2024’s performance, and that future conventions are expected to support demand.

    Hornbuckle also detailed MGM’s expansion strategy beyond Las Vegas as part of a broader effort to diversify. He referred to his company’s domestic growth plans in markets such as New York and Texas, and to large international projects including a planned $12.5 billion resort in Osaka, Japan, and a hotel development in Dubai with potential for gaming. He also pointed to growth in digital operations, particularly through MGM’s BetMGM joint venture and increasing activity in Brazil.

    His comments offer a counterpoint to more pessimistic assessments of Las Vegas tourism, maintaining that cyclical ebbs are typical, but that the city’s core strengths — including luxury appeal, global reach, and digital integration — can sustain future growth despite short-term headwinds. And let’s also remember that MGM Resorts just extended their agreement with Formula 1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix race.

    This Week in Gambling

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  • 10 horses to watch for the 2025/26 National Hunt season

    cheltenham quiz cover.jpg

    It promises to be another exciting National Hunt season over the final months of 2025 and into next year and there are plenty of horses to keep a close eye on as the campaign develops.

    Here we pick out 10, in no particular order, who could have a big impact in the months to come.

    1. Celtic Dino

    Created a good impression when winning on his reappearance in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow last weekend, enhancing his already impressive profile.

    Fourth in a Grade 1 at Aintree on Boxing Day and third in a Grade 2 at Kempton last season, he remains lightly raced over hurdles and looks to have made good progress physically over the summer months.

    2. El Cairos

    Owned by David Maxwell and trained by Gary and Josh Moore; this gelding will likely fetch a handsome sum at the upcoming sales, having shown very good form in bumpers last season, culminating in a second at the Punchestown Festival.

    Fifth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, he’s a former Irish point winner and is an exciting prospect for novice hurdles. 

    3. Final Demand

    A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles for Willie Mullins last season, his only defeat coming when third behind The New Lion in what looked an outstanding renewal of the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

    Anything he achieved over hurdles was likely a bonus and this strapping gelding should take high rank in novice chases from 2m4f to 3m.

    4. Give It To Me OJ

    Fourth in a Grade 1 at Aintree in the spring and landed a valuable pot over hurdles for Gary and Josh Moore on the final day of last season at Sandown, carrying 12st to victory in what was an ultra competitive race.

    He’s done well on the Flat since, winning both starts at Epsom.

    5. Honest Policy

    Trained by Gordon Elliott, he did nothing but improve over hurdles during the last campaign, winning twice at 2m, a Grade 1 at 2m4f and edged out at the top level at the Punchestown Festival, upped to 3m.

    He’ll have plenty of options open to him this season, including a switch to fences.

    6. Jagwar

    Won four of his five chase outings last season, including a pair of Cheltenham successes, the latest in the Grade 3 Plate Handicap Chase at the Festival in March, despite not being overly fluent.

    He should have more to come this term and has the potential to develop into a Grade 1 horse in due course. 

    7. Kitzbuhel

    Another from the Mullins camp, who would have ended last season with a decisive victory in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle at Sandown in April but for running out of room and completely losing his pitch before the second-last.

    Lightly raced in Britain in Ireland, he has the potential to develop into a leading candidate for the Stayers’ Hurdle. 

    8. Majborough

    Winner of the Triumph Hurdle in 2024 for Willie Mullins, he achieved plenty in his first season over fences last season, despite not looking a natural.

    Won the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and would have won the British equivalent at the Cheltenham Festival but for a couple of howling mistakes.

    He recouped those losses with a wide-margin success in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in May, albeit jumping badly left at times.

    9. The Jukebox Man

    Was ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival in March after sustaining an injury during a routine piece of work, but he’d previously proved himself one of the leading novice chasers around with victories in a Grade 2 at Newbury and a Grade 1 at Kempton.

    10. Woodie Flash

    Progressed rapidly over hurdles for Olly Murphy last term, winning three of his four starts, his last success probably the most impressive of them all.

    This winning pointer should have more to come, particularly once switched to fences and he handles all types of ground.

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  • Flutter Brazil CEO Reveals the Company’s Next Steps in the Region

    Flutter Brazil recently opened its new office in São Paulo, Brazil. Set in the heart of Faria Lima Square, Latin America’s leading financial hub, the 731-square-meter area reflects the company’s ambitions for the future of Brazil’s fast-growing betting market. According to Flutter Brazil CEO João Studart, this development symbolizes the company’s continued confidence in the region.

    The New Office Represents a Significant Milestone

    Flutter Brazil was created after global gaming leader Flutter Entertainment acquired NSX Brasil, owner of the local powerhouse Betnacional. Since the merger, the company has grown to over 400 employees, blending global expertise with local knowledge. Flutter Brazil operates via a hybrid model, with offices in São Paulo and Recife, as well as teams working remotely all over the nation.

    The newly opened office was designed by Athié Wohnrath, one of Brazil’s most distinguished architectural firms. Its interior emphasizes open collaboration, sustainability, and a robust sporting identity. A football-themed conference room and an arena-like lounge with a bar are among the features that enable employees and visitors to watch live events, fostering a sense of collective experience.

    The new office represents our commitment to creating an environment of constant evolution for our teams and the market in which we operate.

    João Studart, Flutter Brazil CEO

    According to Studart, Brazil’s gambling sector is entering a phase of consolidation. He added that such a development would reward operators who act with integrity and remain consumer-focused. With such values remaining core to Flutter Brazil’s regional ambitions, the company remains perfectly positioned to capitalize on industry trends and retain its leadership position.

    Brazil’s Market Continues to Evolve

    Beyond the new office, CEO Studart’s attention remains focused on the broader regulatory and commercial landscape. Brazil’s gambling market officially opened on 1 January 2025, bringing a surge of activity. Government reports reveal that gross gaming revenue reached BRL 17.4 billion ($3.2 billion) in the first six months of the year,  generating BRL 3.8 billion in tax revenue.

    Despite these positive figures, Studart notes that the rapid expansion has been accompanied by uncertainty. In a recent interview for iGB, he urged caution by regulators as they consider tightening the rules on advertising or introducing a retroactive tax on operators. According to Studart, overly restrictive regulations could push consumers away from the regulated sector.

    The progress of regulation has laid the foundation for a more balanced ecosystem. Flutter Brazil sees this new scenario as fertile ground for sustainable growth.

    João Studart, Flutter Brazil CEO

    While Brazil’s regulated sector faces imminent challenges, Studart remains optimistic. He noted that the future of betting in Brazil will depend on collaboration between policymakers, operators, and consumers. He added that Flutter aims to help the sector mature responsibly, with trust and transparency remaining at the forefront.

    Deyan Dimitrov

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  • WSOPC UK Returns to Dusk Till Dawn From Nov. 14; £1M Gtd Main Event

    Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham. Often called the home of British poker, is again set to host a World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) stop this November. Running from November 14-24, WSOPC UK boasts 12 ring-awarding events, including the £1,500 WSOPC UK Main Event, which carries a £1 million guarantee on its prize pool.

    Before the WSOPC UK festival springs into life, GGPoker is hosting a £165 buy-in satellite for the Main Event. This shuffles up and deals at 8:05 p.m. GMT and guarantees at least 20 Main Event seats will be won.

    The WSOPC UK festival proper kicks off on November 14 at 12:00 p.m. GMT. The first of four £300 WSOPC Mini Main flights gets the festival underway. When this tournament ran in March 2024, some 615 players bought in for £230. Michael Burnett came out on top, securing a £22,250 top prize and a coveted WSOPC ring.

    Other ring-awarding events include a £300 Seniors (50+), a £300 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo, a £1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller, a £3,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller, and the eagerly anticipated £1,500 buy-in, £1 million guaranteed WSOPC UK Main Event.

    £1,000,000 Guaranteed WSOPC UK Main Event

    Daniel Charlton
    Reigning WSOPC UK Main Event champion Daniel Charlton

    The £1,500 WSOPC UK Main Event features five Day 1s, including a pair of turbo flights. By the time late registration slams shut, the prize pool is guaranteed to be at least £1 million. It is an ambitious guarantee that should be applauded, not least because the 2024 edition of this event was overlaid by £20,000 on its £500,000 guarantee.

    Popular grinder Daniel Charlton emerged victoriously in that event, taking home his first WSOPC ring and £73,295 after a heads-up deal with Arian Hassankashani (£71,820).

    In addition to the previously mentioned online satellite at GGPoker, Dusk Till Dawn is running several WSOPC Main Event satellites. Two cost £120 to enter, each guaranteeing 20 Main Event seats.

    2025 WSOPC UK Schedule

    Expand the table below to see the full 2025 WSOPC UK schedule.

    Date Time Evet Guarantee
    Sun 19 Oct 8:05 p.m. £165 WSOPC Online Mega Sat 20x seats
    Fri 14 Nov 12:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Mini Main Live Day 1a £150,000
      1:00 p.m. £60 Main Event Sat 2x seats
      5:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Mini Main Live Day 1b £150,000
      6:00 p.m. £50 Daily Deepstack £5,000
    Sat 15 Nov 12:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Mini Main Live Day 1c £150,000
      1:00 p.m. £60 Main Event Sat 2x seats
      5:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Mini Main Live Day 1d £150,000
      6:00 p.m. £60 Daily Deepstack £5,000
    Sun 16 Nov 1:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Mini Main Live Day 2 £150,000
      1:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC 6-Max £20,000
      3:00 p.m. £60 Daily Deepstack £5,000
      6:00 p.m. £90 Main Event Sat 10x seats
    Wed 19 Nov 2:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC PLO High Roller £50,000
      2:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Seniors £15,000
      4:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Turbo £15,000
      7:00 p.m. £60 Main Event Sat 10x seats
    Thu 20 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Live Day 1a £1,000,000
      1:00 p.m. £60 Main Event Sat 2x seats
      1:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Deepstack £15,000
      6:00 p.m. £120 Main Event Sat 20x seats
    Fri 21 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Live Day 1b £1,000,000
      1:00 p.m. £60 Main Event Sat 2x seats
      1:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Pot Limit Omaha £15,000
      6:00 p.m. £120 Main Event Sat 20x seats
    Sat 22 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Live Day 1c £1,000,000
      1:00 p.m. £90 Main Event Sat 5x seats
      1:00 p.m. £560 WSOPC Bounty £20,000
      6:00 p.m. £90 Main Event Sat 10x seats
      7:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Turbo Day 1 £1,000,000
    Sun 23 Nov 10:00 a.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Last Chance Turbo £1,000,000
      1:00 p.m. £300 WSOPC Monster Stack £15,000
      3:00 p.m. £1,500 WSOPC Main Event Live Day 2 £1,000,000
      3:00 p.m. £3,000 WSOPC High Roller Day 1 £150,000
      5:00 p.m. £120 Daily Deepstack  
    Mon 24 Nov 12:00 p.m. WSOPC Main Event Final Day £1,000,000
      12:00 p.m. £2,000 WSOPC High Roller Final Day £150,000
      1:00 p.m. £560 WSOPC Closer £20,000
      5:00 p.m. £60 Daily Deepstack  

    Sober as a Judge: Dan Charlton is the WSOPC UK Main Event Champion

    Read moreGambling Aware

    2024 WSOPC UK Results

    Daniel Charlton was the largest single winner of the 2024 WSOPC UK last March. Charlton banked £73,295 for his impressive victory in the Main Event.

    Colin MacAndrew won the £2,200 High Roller for £60,000, while Tom Hall triumphed in the £2,200 6-Max High Roller and saw his bankroll swell by £35,000.

    Event Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize
    £1,100 WSOPC Main Event 462 £500,000 Dan Charlton £73,295
    £2,200 WSOPC High Roller 90 £200,000 Colin MacAndrew £60,000
    £2,200 WSOPC 6-Max High Roller 51 £100,000 Tom Hall £35,000
    £230 WSOPC Mini Main Event 615 £118,080 Michael Burnett £22,250
    £1,100 WSOPC Turbo 44 £50,000 Yuzhou Yin £18,000
    £340 WSOPC Colossus 467 £134,496 Alexander Maskell £16,020
    £230 WSOPC Monster Stack 412 £79,104 Robert Mcdam £14,490
    £230 WSOPC Bounty 211 £19,412 Lei Wang £5,837
    £230 WSOPC Pot Limit Omaha 91 £17,472 Simon Trumper £4,407
    £230 WSOPC Seniors 59 £11,328 Ian Morris £3,028
    £230 WSOPC Ladies 32 £6,144 Peggy Crawford £2,674
    Matthew Pitt

    Matthew Pitt

    Senior Editor

    Matthew Pitt hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, and has worked in the poker industry since 2008, and worked for PokerNews since 2010. In September 2010, he became the editor of PokerNews. Matthew stepped away from live reporting duties in 2015, and now concentrates on his role of Senior Editor for the PokerNews.

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  • Third Las Vegas Aces Victory Parade to Shut Down Las Vegas Strip – Casino.org

    Posted on: October 12, 2025, 02:30h. 

    Last updated on: October 12, 2025, 02:54h.

    The Las Vegas Aces will shut down the Las Vegas Strip on Friday, October 17 for their third WNBA championship victory parade and rally in four years. The Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 in Game 4 of the finals at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Friday, October 10, completing a 4-0 sweep.

    A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game 4 of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Friday, October 10, 2025. (Image: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

    The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. As with previous Aces parades, this one will travel north in the southbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard, turning left onto Park Avenue and Connector Road and ending at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena, the team’s home.

    The first Las Vegas Aces’ WNBA championship victory parade and rally closes down the Las Vegas Strip on September 20, 2022. (Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

    Here, a two-hour rally will be filled with emotional speeches and live music. (In 2023, rapper 2 Chainz performed.)

    To watch the rally, fans are advised by organizers to line up along the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard and Park Avenue.

    Toshiba Plaza will open to the public at 3 p.m., with the celebration expected to last until around 7:30 p.m. An official Aces pop-up store will open at Toshiba Plaza at 4 p.m.

    Closures

    Great news for Las Vegas Aces fans eager to celebrate their favorite WNBA team means bad news for visitors attempting to navigate the Las Vegas Strip for any other reason.

    Beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday, driving on the Strip will be impossible. Plan to do a lot more walking, through a lot denser crowds, than normal. Monorails will run but not RTC buses. Rideshare drop-offs are encouraged south of Tropicana Avenue.

    Area Affected Closure Details Duration
    Southbound Las Vegas Boulevard Full closure from Tropicana Avenue to Park Avenue (near T-Mobile Arena) Setup starts 4 p.m.; full closure 5–7:30 p.m.; reopens ~7:30–11 p.m. or later
    Cross Streets (Flamingo, Harmon, Spring Mountain) Rolling closures and detours at major intersections like Caesars Palace/Flamingo Intermittent during parade; some setup from 6 a.m.
    Tropicana Ave. to Aria Place Partial/full southbound closure for staging From ~4 p.m. until event ends
    Park Avenue and Toshiba Plaza Area Closure for rally and dispersal Post-parade (~7:30 p.m. onward) until cleanup

    For the latest, monitor official sources including the Aces’ website (lvaces.com) and police announcements on X (@LVMPD), as weather or logistics could adjust plans.

    Corey Levitan

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  • Eastern Poker Open High Roller Champ Jordan Fishman Passes Away

    The poker world received sad news Saturday night upon learning that Jordan Fishman, a popular poker player on the East Coast, passed away two days after suffering an unexpected cardiac event.

    Fishman was a retired professor who hailed from Southborough, Massachusetts. He had $184,433 in lifetime tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. That included a career-high $45,000 from earlier this year when he won the Eastern Poker Open $1,650 High Roller in Milford.

    Fishman was cheered on by his girlfriend, Linda Swears, whom he met on the Eastern Poker Tour. They had known each other for 15 years before becoming a couple two years ago. It’s around that time that both of their poker games started to improve dramatically.

    “She had a more conservative style, and I was more aggressive. We meshed our games together,” Fishman said at the time. “Without her, it wouldn’t be as much fun.”

    Fishman added, “This is the best poker I’ve ever played. I’m ready to tackle anything. This is by far my biggest poker accomplishment.”

    Jordan Fishman
    Jordan Fishman & Linda Swears

    Swears shared with PokerNews: “He was my deepest love and my home. It’s hard to think of life without him in it, but we had two and a half amazing years together. I will be forever grateful for the love we had. I never doubted his love for me for a moment after our first date.”

    2025 Eastern Poker Open High Roller Results

    Place Player Prize
    1 Jordan Fishman $45,000
    2 Steven Tabb $27,000
    3 Ron Scott $15,500
    4 Dennis O’Hare $10,500
    5 Adam Johnson $8,400
    6 Justin Carey $7,100
    7 Brian Haughey $6,400
    8 Mike LaMontagne $5,200
    9 Linval Gentles $3,900

    It marked a new career-high score for Fishman, who had $112,564 in career earnings prior to the win, according to The Hendon Mob. That included a prior career-best $13,589 for finishing as runner-up in the 2018 Bar Poker Open Championship. More recently, Fishman finished third in February’s Gate City Winter Open $350 No-Limit Hold’em for $10,850.

    Jordan Fishman
    Jordan Fishman after his EPO victory.

    It wasn’t the only win this year for Fishman as this summer he took down a Resorts World $400 NLH event for $18,183.

    PokerNews offers it condolences to the friends and family of Jordan Fishman, who will be sorely missed by the poker community.

    You can rewatch Fishman’s victory in the 2025 Eastern Poker Open High Roller here:

    Chad Holloway

    Chad Holloway

    PR & Media Manager

    PR & Media Manager for PokerNews, host of both the PokerNews Podcast & MPST Podcast Presented By PokerNews, and 2013 WSOP Bracelet Winner.

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  • Casino M&A Likely Limited Until Interest Rates Decline Further

    Posted on: October 11, 2025, 05:04h. 

    Last updated on: October 11, 2025, 05:04h.

    • Casino consolidation chatter is alive, but not as vibrant as in past years
    • Still high interest rates weighing on Las Vegas Strip asset sales
    • Bolt-on, not transformational deals expected

    The casino industry is often a hotbed of consolidation rumors, but if chatter from the recently concluded Global Gaming Expo (G2E) is any indication, large-scale deal-making likely isn’t the near-term cards.

    Las Vegas gaming revenue Nevada
    Las Vegas Strip M&A activity is likely to be slow until interest rates fall more. (Image: Shutterstock)

    In a new report to clients, Stifel analyst Jeffrey Stantial notes that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) talk at G2E was subdued compared to prior years. That includes a muted outlook for asset sales on the Las Vegas Strip.

    Given larger average purchase price, Strip M&A appetite seems limited until interest rates come in further,” observes Stantial.

    That’s relevant to Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) and likely priced into the flailing stock. Caesars has long been rumored to be a candidate to offload one of its Strip properties — a move that would help reduce debt — but the pool of credible cash buyers is small, meaning prospective suitors likely need to finance deals and that’s an unattractive proposition when interest rates are high. The potential good news is that rates are expected to fall by 100 to 120 basis points by the end of 2026.

    Slim Pickings for Regional Casino M&A, Too

    Beyond the Strip, it’s also unlikely that there will be needle-moving transactions among regional casinos over the near-term. Stantial said the bulk of seller interest is for lower quality assets and that could result in limited interest among potential buyers.

    That jibes with some operator commentary indicating that would-be buyers of regional casinos simply can’t find assets that meet their standards and that they won’t be rushed into deals just to increase the size of their portfolios.

    The analyst noted a possible exception on the seller side is Century Casinos (NASDAQ: CNTY), which is currently in the midst of a strategic review. Stantial said that operator “seemed open to all options in the ongoing strategic review.” The company is holding talks about the long-awaited divestment of its two-thirds interest in Casinos Poland.

    “We continue to see an outright sale as unlikely given the variety of assets/markets & challenges under-writing to expected ‘fully-ramped’ earnings power, though see potential for one-off divestitures – in particular CNTY’s Canadian portfolio given increasingly non-core nature & historically higher transaction multiples vs. U.S. assets,” observes the Stifel analyst. “We expect management to be thorough evaluating options, indicating more likely CY26 resolution.”

    Eye on Prediction Markets, Sports Betting

    Given the recent flurry of financing activity in the prediction markets space, it’s possible that online sports betting (OSB) take closer looks at acquisition candidates in that arena. However, OSB operators could be hamstrung regarding prediction market purchases because some state regulators have warned gaming companies licenses could be at risk if they earnestly move into event contracts.

    Related M&A trends to monitor include “undetermined prediction markets strategies for incumbent OSB operators, and efforts to accelerate player deposits/liquidity for exchanges, and brand & odds provider tuck-ins for regulated OSB operators,” concludes Stantial.

    Todd Shriber

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  • Journalist Hacks Card Shuffling Machine to Prove How to Cheat in Poker

    Can automatic shuffling machines be hacked to cheat in poker? A journalist put that question to the test in a new video that explores the vulnerabilities of shuffling machines like the Deckmate 2 used in casinos and poker rooms around the world.

    The video, titled “I Cheated At Poker By Hacking A Casino Card Shuffling Machine,” gathered more than 100,000 views in less than 24 hours. In it, WIRED Senior Writer Andy Greenberg speaks to security consultant and hacking expert Joseph Tartaro and poker pro Doug Polk before rigging a shuffler and putting it to the test in a real-world scenario.


    Maria Konnikova on Cheating in Poker: Ban Electronics & Sunglasses

    Machine Hacking & Signaling

    Tartaro has spent years researching how automatic shufflers could be used to cheat in games like poker. In the video, he shows Greenberg that the USB port on the back of shufflers leaves them vulnerable to hacking. He demonstrates by plugging in a device capable of reading the order of cards.

    “This device has a Bluetooth model and it will wirelessly connect to this phone,” Tataro says in the video. “And every time a deck gets shuffled, it will get the exact order from the camera (in the shuffler) and send it to me.”

    With a hacked machine ready for testing, Greenberg arranged a private poker game with Tataro and two unsuspecting players. Tataro, who had access to the shuffler on his phone, signaled to Greenberg whether to fold, call or raise by playing with his chips.

    As a result, Greenberg was able to play perfectly and easily won the sit-and-go match despite not being an experienced poker player.

    Should Players Be Concerned?

    Hacking shufflers is one of several modern cheating methods that have emerged with advancing technology. In October 2024, psychologist Maria Konnikova told PokerNews about nano cameras that make card protectors, electronics and sunglasses all potential cheating risks at the poker table.

    While automatic shuffling machines are common in poker rooms, Doug Polk, an owner of The Lodge in Texas, said there’s a much bigger risk of cheating in private and unregulated games than in casinos.

    “The Deckmate 2 in a casino location, you shouldn’t be too scared of,” the content creator said. “They have all these casino contracts, so they have licensed people fixing problems that there might be. The problem is once somebody has a Deckmate 2 on a black market or a secondary market, they are now no longer being upkept by the company itself. Some guy is just basically in the back fixing the machine and then putting it on the table.”

    “I have heard so many cheating stories of people using these to cheat players out of their money when it’s not happening at a casino location.”

    A spokesperson for Light and Wonder, the gaming manufacturer that makes the Deckmate 2, told WIRED in a statement that they’ve addressed the security flaws and “updated the firmware on all our Deckmate shufflers to all our customers worldwide at zero cost to them.” Still, Tartaro says the machines remain a cheating risk.

    Connor Richards

    Connor Richards

    Senior Editor U.S.

    Connor Richards is a Senior Editor U.S. for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for three Global Poker Awards for his writing.

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  • NFL Week 6: All Eyes on Lions-Chiefs Sunday Night

    Posted on: October 11, 2025, 10:01h. 

    Last updated on: October 11, 2025, 10:01h.

    • Lots of betting action on Lions-Chiefs Over
    • Bills, minus Oliver and Milano, need a statement game against Falcons
    • Jackson still out of lineup for Ravens

    According to Joey Feazel, Head of Football at Caesars Sportsbook, there’s robust betting action on the Chiefs versus the Lions on Sunday Night, at Arrowhead Stadium, with a lot of action on the Lions and the Over (52.5).

    Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) reacts with his teammates after Barnes records a safety during last week’s game against the Bengals in Cincinnati. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.

    Lamar Jackson Out of the Lineup for Ravens

    “On the opposite side of things, action for the Rams/Ravens matchup has not been what we would’ve expected at the beginning of the season,” he told Casino.org. “Obviously, that has a lot to do with the injury to Lamar Jackson, but what looked like a premier matchup a month ago, doesn’t seem to be the case today.”

    Side note: In the massive upset win game Thursday night, with the Giants under QB Jaxson Dart beating the heavily favoured Eagles, 34-17, a Caesars Sportsbook bettor placed USD $339,000 on the Giants +7.5 (-113) for a $300k win.

    49ers Starting Mac Jones at QB Again

    The Lions are 4-1, the Chiefs 2-3. 

    “Elsewhere, Lions-Chiefs is our most bet game of the week, with more than 75% of patrons taking the Lions with the points on the road,” said Adrian Horton, Senior Director, North American Sport Trading, ESPN BET. “Handle is closer to a 60/40 split but still in favor of Detroit, with the line moving out a point to +2.5.

    “The Broncos are the flavor of the week, as Denver is our most bet side by spread tickets and handle, and Moneyline tickets, to take down the Jets in London.”

    Ed Oliver, Matt Milano Questionable for Bills

    On the props front, Jahmyr Gibbs is the most bet TD scorer by total bets, Bo Nix 1+ Total Passing Touchdowns (Nix and his wife announced this morning they are expecting their first child) is the most bet non-TD prop by total bets.

    Over at DraftKings, Johnny Avello, the Las Vegas bookmaker, and DraftKings’ Race and Sportsbook director, some of the betting takeaways at his end so far:

    Browns at Steelers: “Terrible scheduling spot for the Browns. They’re coming back from London and Steelers had the week off. Line up to 5.5 from 4.5.”

    Seahawks Undermanned at DB

    Cardinals at Colts: “Cards are coming off inconceivable loss to Titans. Even though [QB Kyler] Murray is probable, the line is up to 7 from the opener of 3.5.”

    Bengals at Packers: “Line was only around a field goal before the season started and is now 14. How things have changed.”

    Lions at Chiefs: “Top game of the Sunday slate on prime time. They’re betting the Chiefs early with the line up to 2.5 from 1.5.”

    The Bills, at 4-1, are in Atlanta to play the Falcons in one of two Monday nighters – Bears at Commanders being the other game. The Bills (-225 against the Falcons, at DraftKings, Falcons +185) are first in the AFC East, but there’s plenty of question marks surrounding a team that’s in a Super Bowl or bust moment this year. As of this morning, at ESPN, TE Dalton Kincaid, LB Matt Milano, DT T.J. Sanders and DT Ed Oliver are all listed as questionable due to injuries.

    Mark Keast

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  • GUKPT Heads to Blackpool for the 2025 Tour’s Penultimate Stop

    The penultimate leg of the 2025 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) is almost upon us, with hundreds of poker tournament grinders planning to descend on the seaside town of Blackpool. Running from November 1-9 at the Grosvenor G Casino on the South Promenade, the GUKPT Blackpool festival is the penultimate leg of the 2025 GUKPT before the London-based Grand final later in the month.

    GUKPT Blackpool kicks off on November 1. Although you won’t earn any National Poker League (NPL) points for playing it, we urge you to get involved in the ninth edition of the Kav Cup. Rick Gilby created the Kav Cup in honour of the late Derek “Kav” Kavanagh, a hugely popular figure who battled bravely with cancer. Kavanagh sadly passed away in 2017.

    Since its launch, 2,052 players have played in a Kav Cup and helped raise almost £75,500 in the process. The buy-in is £60 with £20 going to charity, and there’s an option to buy another 10,000 starting stack for £40. Grosvenor Casinos is kindly providing dealers for the Kav Cup 9, Phil “The Tower” Heald will be the host throughout the day, and there are many prizes to be won, including a poker table worth almost £1,000 that Andy Booth and Cardroom Direct have donated for the eighth consecutive year.

    Last year, Karen Tomczak outlasted 249 opponents in Kav Cup 8, and walked away with £3,630. Tomczak and Phil Iddon struck a deal when heads-up, resulting in Iddon collecting a £3,500 consolation prize.

    Once the Kav Cup 9 crowns its champion and those playing it have slept off their hangovers, GUKPT Blackpool begins. A £250 buy-in, £100,000 guaranteed Mini Main runs November 2-5 followed by a £1,650 buy-in, £50,000 guaranteed High Roller from November 5-6.

    This year’s £1,250 Main Event carries a £250,000 guarantee on its prize pool. The first of three flights starts on November 6, with the champion crowned on November 9.

    As has been the case for as long as we can remember, the festival wraps up with a two-day, £110 buy-in Online Closer at Grosvenor Poker; this comes with a £20,000 guaranteed prize pool.

    2025 GUKPT Blackpool Schedule

    Date Time Event Guarantee
    Sat 1 Nov 1:00 p.m. £60 Kav Cup 9 Charity Event  
      6:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Cashout Satellite 10x seats
    Sun 2 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 1A £100,000
      6:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 1B £100,000
      9:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Turbo Cashout Satellite  
    Mon 3 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 1C £100,000
      6:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 1D £100,000
      9:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Turbo Cashout Satellite  
    Tue 4 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 1E Turbo £100,000
      4:00 p.m. £250 Mini Main Day 2 £100,000
      6:00 p.m. £250 PLO 4-Card  
      9:00 p.m. £180 High Roller Turbo Cashout Satellite  
    Wed 5 Nov 12:00 p.m. £180 High Roller Turbo Cashout Satellite  
      3:00 p.m. £1,650 High Roller Day 1 £100,000
      5:00 p.m. £200 NLHE Turbo  
      5:00 p.m. Mini Main Day 3 £100,000
      7:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Cashout Satellite  
    Thu 6 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,650 High Roller Day 2 £100,000
      1:00 p.m. £1,250 Main Event Day 1A £250,000
      7:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Cashout Satellite  
    Fri 7 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,250 Main Event Day 1B £250,000
      12:00 p.m. £140 Main Event Turbo Cashout Satellite  
      9:00 p.m. £1,250 Main Event Day 1C Turbo £250,000
    Sat 8 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,250 Main Event Day 2 £250,000
      1:00 p.m. £550 GUKPT Cup Day 1 £50,000
    Sun 9 Nov 12:00 p.m. Main Event Day 3 £250,000
      12:30 p.m. £550 GUKPT Cup Day 2 £50,000
      1:00 p.m. £150 Seniors (50+)  
      4:00 p.m. £330 PLO 4 card Bounty  
    Mon 10 Nov 7:00 p.m. £110 Online Closer Day 1 £20,000
    Tue 11 Nov 7:30 p.m. Online Closer Day 2 £20,000

    Last year, Abdulkadir Ahmed won the £250 Mini Event, leaving 552 opponents in his wake as he collected a career-best £24,530. Jamie Dale won the £1,650 High Roller for £33,260, with Ravi Sheth triumphing over 298 opponents in the £1,250 Main Event, a result worth £68,580.

    Expect Sheth to attempt to defend his GUKPT Blackpool title because he can still catch Thomas Clack at the top of the National Poker League and secure a £40,000 sponsorship package for 2026.

    Former GUKPT Blackpool Main Event Champions

    Date Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize
    Nov 2024 £1,250 299 £314,250 Ravi Sheth £68,580
    Mar 2024 £1,250 207 £250,000 Ludovic Geilich £56,150
    Mar 2023 £1,250 305 £321,081 Lin Chen £65,310
    Nov 2023 £1,250 347 £360,430 Ian Gascoigne £62,198
    Nov 2022 £1,250 543 £597,300 Jamie Clossick £109,000
    Nov 2021 £1,250 533 £574,580 Richard Horton £94,150
    Nov 2019 £1,110 367 £367,000 Matthew Eardley £84,550
    Nov 2018 £1,110 304 £304,000 Yiannis Liperis £84,250
    Nov 2017 £1,100 314 £314,000 Daniel Corbett £87,280
    Nov 2016 £1,100 251 £251,000 Tom Middleton £56,255
    Nov 2015 £1,090 275 £275,000 Jonny Gray £69,050
    Nov 2014 £1,080 171 £200,000 Justin Astley £59,000
    Nov 2013 £1,070 226 £226,000 Richard Trigg £53,000
    Nov 2012 £1,070 173 £173,000 Simon Deadman £49,290
    Nov 2011 £1,070 262 £262,000 Andrew Peters £72,020
    Nov 2010 £1,070 246 £246,000 David Johnson £67,750
    Nov 2009 £1,060 287 £287,000 Priyan de Mel £84,900
    Nov 2008 £1,060 341 £341,000 Brian Clarke £96,500
    Nov 2007 £1,050 353 £353,000 Paul Bracken £109,700

    There’s the not-so-small matter of getting GUKPT Edinburgh out of the way before the Blackpool leg. Running October 9-19 and featuring £350,000 in guaranteed prize pools. GUKPT Edinburgh will be another well-attended Grosvenor-run series. As always, stay tuned to PokerNews for all the latest GUKPT-related news and results.

    Matthew Pitt

    Matthew Pitt

    Senior Editor

    Matthew Pitt hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, and has worked in the poker industry since 2008, and worked for PokerNews since 2010. In September 2010, he became the editor of PokerNews. Matthew stepped away from live reporting duties in 2015, and now concentrates on his role of Senior Editor for the PokerNews.

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  • Former A-League Star Ulises Dávila Pleads Guilty to Match-Fixing

    Ulises Dávila, 34, a former Mexico youth international and captain of Macarthur FC who was named A-League Men Player of the Year in 2021, has pleaded guilty in an Australian court to his involvement in a profitable match-fixing scheme.

    Dávila Pleads Guilty to Fixing Yellow Cards

    Dávila was alleged to be the mastermind behind a betting scheme in which he and two teammates from Macarthur FC intentionally received yellow cards to influence betting outcomes. The charges stemmed from six matches played in Australia’s top-tier soccer league during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

    The former Macarthur FC captain pleaded guilty to facilitating and engaging in conduct intended to corrupt the outcome of a betting event. Prosecutors at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court dropped eight other charges against him, including allegations that he led and took part in a criminal group.

    What Led to This?

    During a match against Sydney FC on December 9, 2023, Macarthur players Ulises Dávila, Clayton Lewis, and Kearyn Baccus each received yellow cards. Dávila was booked for time-wasting by kicking the ball away, Lewis for pushing an opponent in the chest, and Baccus for a reckless tackle.

    According to statements agreed upon by Lewis and Baccus, bets had been placed on Macarthur receiving at least four yellow cards during the match. Winnings from these bets, placed through a gambling site, totaled more than AUD 200,000 (around $132,000). Dávila allegedly paid Lewis and Baccus AUD 10,000 ($6,600) each for their involvement in the scheme.

    In September, Lewis and Baccus were given good-behavior bonds and avoided conviction, with the magistrate describing them as being “right at the bottom of the scheme.” They said they became involved at Dávila’s urging, describing him as not only the team captain but the mastermind behind the scheme. All three players were suspended and eventually had their contracts with Macarthur FC terminated.

    Macarthur FC had previously released a strongly worded statement highlighting what it described as serious deficiencies in the integrity processes within Australian football. The club asserted that the existing systems were insufficient to protect teams from risk and lacked the necessary responsiveness to handle issues of such scale. It called for an urgent and comprehensive review and reform of integrity protocols to ensure the long-term protection of the sport.

    Stefan Velikov

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  • Massachusetts Man Wins $1M from the Lottery

    A Massachusetts man has won a life-changing $1 million prize from the Massachusetts Lottery. While this wasn’t the game’s top prize, it will still significantly beef the man’s retirement funds.

    Shadfar Will Invest in His Retirement  

    The lucky winner was identified as Jamshid Shadfar, of Worcester. According to reports, the man was playing the Massachusetts Lottery’s $5,000,000 100X Cashword game when he won the mouth-watering $1 million prize.

    While the game’s top prize is five times bigger than what Shadfar ended up winning, his winnings are still significant and will greatly enhance his life. The Worcester man opted to take the lump sum rather than the annuity and will thus receive $650,000 before taxes. The man told the lottery that he will put the funds toward his retirement.

    In the meantime, the Value Mart on Hamilton Street in Worcester will get a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

    For context, the $5,000,000 100X Cashword game was launched on June 13, 2024. The game featured 2 top prizes of $5 million, one of which has already been won. The game also featured 10 prizes of $1 million, such as the one Shadfar won. According to the Massachusetts Lottery’s official website, only 1 of these remains.

    The odds of winning the top $5,000,000 100X Cashword prize are 1 in 5,040,000. The odds of winning any prize, however, are much more favorable, standing at 1 in 2.85.

    To put things into perspective, Shadfar beat odds of 1 in 1,008,000 to claim his prize.

    Other Recent US Lottery Winners

    In other news, a man in Maryland recently won a $31,118.30 prize after matching almost all winning numbers in the lottery’s Racetrax game. The winner admitted that he had been playing the same combo for years after getting introduced to the game by a friend.

    Earlier this month Washington’s Lottery officials announced that a lucky player from Snohomish County has hit the Hit 5 jackpot, which stood at $230,000 at the time. The jackpot was then reset and has since grown to $270,000, as of the time of this writing.

    Fiona Simmons

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  • Kalshi Funding Round Pushes Valuation to $5 Billion

    Posted on: October 10, 2025, 03:21h. 

    Last updated on: October 10, 2025, 03:21h.

    • Series D funding round of $300 million vaults Kalshi valuation to $5 billion
    • Prediction markets operator will use capital for international expansion
    • Says it’s the fastest growing non-AI tech company

    Prediction market Goliath Kalshi said today it finalized a Series D funding round of $300 million, pushing its valuation to $5 billion.

    Kalshi, CFTC, US presidential election, gambling, lawsuit
    Kalshi founders Luana Lopes Lara (left) and Tarek Mansour. The company is now valued at $5 billion following a $300 million financing round. (Image: CFTC)

    Kalshi wrapped up a $185 million Series C funding round in June valuing the company at $2 billion, meaning that with today’s news, the company’s multiple has swelled 2.5x in just four months. Recent speculation suggested $5 billion was the next destination on Kalshi’s valuation journey.

    This latest round, which values Kalshi at $5 billion, was co-led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and Sequoia Capital, with significant participation from Paradigm. Additional backers include Coinbase Ventures, General Catalyst, Spark Capital, and CapitalG,” according to a statement.

    Kalshi, which means “everything” in Arabic, was cofounded in 2018 by Luana Lopes Lara, now chief operating officer, and current CEO Tarek Mansour.

    Kalshi Going Global

    News of the Kalshi funding round and freshly elevated valuation arrived three days after New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) owner Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) took a $2 billion stake in Polymarket, valuing Kalshi’s most direct competitor at up to $10 billion.

    Polymarket is waiting for the US government shutdown to end to renter this country, meaning the bulk of its business has long been generated in international markets. That’s not lost on Kalshi, which today unveiled significant ex-US expansion plans.

    Kalshi said that for the first time, it’s available to users in over 140 countries, adding that clients from around the world will engage with a “single, unified” liquidity pool. Increased international exposure could boost liquidity in some thinly traded markets while boosting Kalshi’s already soaring volume.

    “Prediction markets have always had worldwide relevance. Events don’t stop at borders, and now, neither does trading on them. Whether it’s elections, central bank decisions, sports, or climate, users across continents can trade directly on the outcomes that shape their world,” said Kalshi.

    Kalshi Says Its Fastest-Growing Non-AI Tech Firm

    The prediction markets operator said the latest funding round was oversubscribed in significant fashion, drawing demand from a who’s who of Silicon Valley and Wall Street. It also noted it’s now the fastest-growing technology company not involved with artificial intelligence (AI).

    “Kalshi has become one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States, and the fastest-growing company outside of the AI industry. In the past year alone, trading volume has grown 200× and the user base has grown 20×. Kalshi now accounts for over 60 percent of global prediction-market activity, despite previously being confined to the U.S.,” adds the company.

    Indeed, at a valuation of $5 billion Kalshi is a unicorn — a private company valued at least $1 billion — but it has a long way to go to crack the top 20 unicorns as its valuation needs to triple to get there.

    Todd Shriber

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  • Colombia Approves Blockchain-Based Keno

    Coljuegos, Colombia’s gambling authority, has officially granted a concession for the operation of Keno, bringing one of the first blockchain-supported lottery-style games in Latin America to the forefront. The government expects that this new offering will generate more than COP 485 billion ($125 million) in public healthcare contributions over the next five years while bolstering the nation’s gambling sector.

    The Government Expects Significant Revenues

    Keno, a popular draw-based game gaining popularity across international markets, will be available across all 32 Colombian departments. According to market studies cited by Coljuegos, total sales could exceed COP 2.3 trillion ($587 million) within the next five years. The game’s blockchain-based ticketing system will provide enhanced transparency, improve traceability, and limit the chances of fraud.

    When playing Keno, users can select 10 numbers from 1 to 80, matching them against 20 randomly drawn balls generated by an independent Random Number Generator. Winnings depend on how many numbers a player matches, with variable payouts depending on the initial wager. Each stake will cost between COP 1,000 ($0.26) and COP 20,000 ($5.10), with a maximum initial prize of COP 1.68 billion ($428,500).

    To attract more players, there will be draws every day, at intervals of 6 to 10 minutes, resulting in 144 to 240 daily rounds. Results will be made public through digital channels like YouTube and official game websites. People will have the option to play via physical terminals or online through authorized digital channels. Coljuegos expects to establish more than 16,000 sales points nationwide.

    Gambling Remains a Significant Economic Driver

    Coljuegos president Marco Emilio Hincapié stated that the concession followed an open and competitive bidding process involving multiple bidders. He emphasized that the new product represented a significant step for Colombia’s gaming sector as it focuses on innovation and modernization. This offering should also help channel more users toward regulated offerings and away from black market operations.

    The gaming concession was awarded through an open process so all interested operators could participate.

    Marco Emilio Hincapié, Coljuegos president

    Operators offering Keno will receive a four-month pre-launch period to prepare infrastructure and ensure compliance with security and technical standards. This new offering is set to launch in January 2026. Its addition underscores Coljuegos’ efforts to maintain strict oversight while allowing flexibility and innovation within Colombia’s gambling sector.

    We seek to expand the offerings for gamblers and consolidate the gaming sector as a fundamental pillar of the national economy.

    Marco Emilio Hincapié, Coljuegos president

    The introduction of Keno coincides with a period of rising regulatory scrutiny for Colombia’s online betting landscape. Coljuegos recently ordered internet service providers to disable access to the prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging that the company offered unauthorized political betting and cryptocurrency-based wagering. The authority was adamant that any form of betting must receive regulatory approval.

    Deyan Dimitrov

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  • Super Golden Dragon Inferno Video Review • This Week in Gambling

    We have a look at the Super Golden Dragon Inferno, a medium to low volatility slot from BetSoft! This game is focused on the random wilds, which will drop in anytime a new Wild Symbol lands on the reels! Plus, this 5 reel, 3 row game comes with 243 Ways to Win, Stacked mystery wilds, and a Hold & Win Bonus game!

    Super Golden Dragon Inferno is an online slot from BetSoft that builds on the studio’s popular “Golden Dragon” series with a fiery new installment full of intense visuals and high-volatility gameplay. The 5-reel, 3-row slot features 20 fixed paylines and a classic Asian-inspired theme centered around dragons, treasure, and good fortune, all brought to life with high-quality graphics and dramatic animations.

    The game’s standout feature is the Hold & Win bonus, triggered by landing six or more Dragon Coin symbols anywhere on the reels. When activated, the reels lock and respin, giving players chances to land more coins with each spin. Each new symbol resets the spin counter, and special multipliers and jackpot coins can appear, adding major payout potential. Players can win one of three fixed jackpots — Mini, Major, or Grand — with the Grand offering the largest prize.

    Super Golden Dragon Inferno also includes stacked wilds, which can appear on any reel to help form winning combinations, and a Random Multiplier feature that can boost regular spin wins by up to 10x. The game’s RTP is around 96.06%, and its high volatility means payouts may be less frequent but potentially significant when they occur.

    Betsoft’s attention to detail extends beyond gameplay to the soundtrack and artwork, which enhance the fiery, mystical atmosphere. The combination of traditional slot mechanics with modern features like Hold & Win and random multipliers gives the game strong replay value.

    Super Golden Dragon Inferno delivers a visually striking and highly engaging experience for players who enjoy volatile, jackpot-focused slots. With its mix of bonus features and big-win potential, it stands out as one of Betsoft’s most exciting releases in the classic dragon-themed slot category. Check out other BetSoft titles, like the Super Sugar Pop Hold & Win or the Treasures of Cleopatra online slot, right here on this website.

    This Week in Gambling

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  • Media Mogul Richard Desmond Seeks $1.58B in Damages from UKGC

    Billionaire media mogul Richard Desmond has called on a court to lean on the side of “generosity” in evaluating a GBP 1.3 billion (approximately $1.58 billion) damages claim against the United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is a sum that would likely be covered by taxpayers if he prevails in the legal battle.

    Richard Desmond Seeks GBP 1.3 Billion in Damages from the UKGC

    Lawyers representing Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell investment firm and his lottery bid vehicle, the New Lottery Company (TNLC), argue that the Gambling Commission committed “manifest errors” during the complex and opaque competition process for Britain’s largest public sector contract. The 10-year licence was awarded in 2022 to Allwyn, a newly formed company ultimately owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komárek, which has operated the National Lottery since 2024.

    If successful, the payout could have a major financial impact on both charities and taxpayers, as the compensation would come from a lottery fund designated to support good causes. If the award exceeds the available funds, which are believed to receive around GBP 30 million (approximately $36.4 million) per week from lottery ticket sales, the shortfall would likely be covered by taxpayers.

    TNLC alleges that the Gambling Commission gave feedback to rival bidder Allwyn at a stage in the process when it should not have, calling this a “very serious breach” of the competition’s rules. 

    Speaking of Allwyn, it is also participating in the case, effectively aligning itself with the Gambling Commission. The company has a vested interest in defending the outcome of the bidding process, as its reputation could be damaged if Desmond’s legal team succeeds in persuading the judge that Allwyn should not have been awarded the license.

    While the UKGC sought a settlement with Desmond’s Northern & Shell PLC, the issue continued, and a bitter case opened this week. At the High Court, Desmond’s legal team told Mrs Justice Smith that the bidding process was fundamentally flawed on multiple grounds, and argued that the competition should have been rerun after the terms of the contract were changed post-award.

    UKHC Responds

    The Gambling Commission has defended its handling of the licensing process, describing it as robust and thorough. In legal submissions, the regulator argued that Desmond’s bid was “fanciful” and performed “extremely badly” in what it called a rigorous competition.

    Sarah Hannaford KC, representing the commission, dismissed Desmond’s claim, seeking damages for potential earnings TNLC might have made if the process were rerun as “hopeless.” She told the court it was “extremely unusual, if not unique, for a bidder who lost so spectacularly to argue that it should have won,” adding that TNLC’s belief it could have succeeded with more detailed early feedback was merely “wishful thinking.”

    Stefan Velikov

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  • Play Your Way Into a Special 888poker UKPL Coventry Freeroll

    The final 888poker UK Poker League (UKPL) stop of 2025 is right around the corner, with the grand finale in Coventry scheduled for November 10-16. The £560 buy-in, £100,000 guaranteed UKPL Coventry Main Event is the festival’s flagship event, and you could be playing in it for free thanks to an 888poker promotion.

    Any 888poker player who plays 35 online tournaments before October 25 will be eligible to compete in the UKPL Coventry Freeroll online at 888poker. This freeroll kicks off at 7:00 p.m. GMT sharp, guaranteeing a cool 30x £560 UKPL Coventry Main Event seats! That’s £16,800 worth of seats available to win for free.

    Please note: this promotion is only available to 888poker players whose account is registered to a United Kingdom address and the tournaments are played from the UK

    For some players, playing 35 tournaments with a buy-in of $5 or more before October 25 may seem like a tall order. However, all your tournament play from September 18 onward counts toward the target. Additionally, 888poker is counting BLAST tournaments toward the 35 target, so long as those BLAST tournaments have a $5 or more buy-in.

    BLAST are 888poker’s jackpot sit & go tournaments. These three-handed games are over in a matter of minutes, meaning you could easily hit 35 played over the course of a few poker sessions. Furthermore, 888poker awards $2,500 in BLAST tickets daily via four BLAST Leaderboards!

    888poker UKPL Coventry Schedule

    888poker LIVE Coventry

    UKPL Coventry runs at the Grosvenor G Casino in Coventry from November 10-16. A £250 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em Opening Voyage, with £50,000 guaranteed, lights the blue touch paper under the festival.

    Day 1a of the £100,000 guaranteed UKPL Coventry Main Event begins at 3:00 p.m. on November 13, an hour after the £1,100 buy-in, £50,000 guaranteed High Roller gets underway. Day 1b and 1c take place on November 14, with the fourth and final flight on November 15. The 2025 UKPL Coventry Main Event champion will be known on November 16.

    Date Time Event Guarantee
    Mon 10 Nov 7:00 p.m. £90 Opening Voyage and Main Event Satellite 5x seats
    Tue 11 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 NLHE Opening Voyage Day 1a £50,000
      5:00 p.m. £150 PLO 4/5/6 card £10,000
      7:00 p.m. £90 Opening Voyage and Main Event Satellite 5x seats
    Wed 12 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 NLHE Opening Voyage Day 1B £50,000
      7:00 p.m. £250 NLHE Opening Voyage Day 1C Turbo £50,000
      9:00 p.m. £125 Main Event Satellite 5x seats
    Thu 13 Nov 12:00 p.m. £250 NLHE Opening Voyage Day 2 £50,000
      12:00 p.m. £120 High Roller Turbo Satellite  
      2:00 p.m. £1,100 NLHE High Roller Day 1 £50,000
      3:00 p.m. £560 NLHE Main Event Day 1A £100,000
    Fri 14 Nov 12:00 p.m. £1,100 NLHE High Roller Day 2 £50,000
      1:00 p.m. £560 NLHE Main Event Day 1B £100,000
      6:00 p.m. £200 NLHE Turbo Dash £10,000
      6:00 p.m. £560 NLHE Main Event Day 1c £100,000
      8:00 p.m. £125 Main Event Satellite 5x seats
    Sat 15 Nov 12:00 p.m. £560 NLHE Main Eent Day 1D £100,000
      6:00 p.m. £220 NLHE KO Rumble £5,000
    Sun 16 Nov 12:00 p.m. NLHE Main Event Day 2 £100,000
      2:00 p.m. £150 NLHE Seniors (50+) £5,000
      3:00 p.m. £250 NLHE Big Shot £20,000

    Past 888poker UKPL Coventry Champions

    Jamie Morris
    Jamie Morris: Reigning UKPL Coventry champion

    The upcoming 888poker UKPL Coventry Main Event marks the third time 888poker has headed to the Midlands. In January 2024, the £560 UKPL Coventry Main Event drew in 371 entrants, resulting in a £176,225 prize pool. Jamie Le became that tournament’s champion and returned home with £37,605.

    Later that year, in October 2024, Jamie Morris emerged victoriously from a 224-strong crowd and scooped £19,831 of the £106,400 prize pool. Morris’ prize would have been more substantial had he not struck a three-handed deal with runner-up Daniel Scridon (£15,961) and third-place finisher Noam De Frettes (£16,098).

    Matthew Pitt

    Matthew Pitt

    Senior Editor

    Matthew Pitt hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, and has worked in the poker industry since 2008, and worked for PokerNews since 2010. In September 2010, he became the editor of PokerNews. Matthew stepped away from live reporting duties in 2015, and now concentrates on his role of Senior Editor for the PokerNews.

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