News

Casino City’s Friday Five: Fines, winning streaks and new casinos edition

7 March 2025
By Dan Ippolito

From an unprecedented jackpot-winning streak at BitStarz to significant regulatory developments and new casino announcements, it was another busy week in the gaming. Highlights include a substantial win at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, a cease-and-desist order issued to Kalshi by Nevada, plans for a new Pennsylvania casino, and fines levied for underage gambling violations.

Let’s begin with a California jackpot:

5. More than $500,000 jackpot win at Thunder Valley Casino Resort
Thunder Valley Casino Resort in California announced a progressive jackpot win of $512,872 on Tuesday, 4 March.

The winning guest was playing the slot machine Dollar Storm Mega Grand Wild Ninja with a denomination of $0.10 when they hit the payout.

This lucky winner slayed a whopping $512,872 jackpot on Wild Ninja! ?????? pic.twitter.com/BRhWaiiVxW

— Thunder Valley Casino Resort (@Thunder_Valley) March 5, 2025

4. Nevada Gaming Control Board issues cease-and-desist order to Kalshi
The Nevada Gaming Control Board issued a cease-and-desist order to Kalshi, notifying the company that offering "event-based contracts" on sporting events and election outcomes "is unlawful in Nevada, unless and until approved as licensed gaming by the Nevada Gaming Commission."

The letter informs Kalshi that even licensed sports pools in Nevada are prohibited from accepting wagers on such activity. The letter therefore advises Kalshi that its actions are in direct violation of Nevada's public policy.

It also instructs the company to cease all unlawful activity within Nevada by 5:00 p.m. on 14 March 2025. Additionally, the letter explains that past unlawful action remains subject to criminal and civil penalties, and any future unlawful activity will be deemed willful violations.

On Thursday, Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour responded on LinkedIn, saying, “While we are disappointed to see the letter from the Nevada Gaming Commission, Kalshi will stay committed to our approach and keep paving the way for regulated prediction markets to thrive in the US.”

The @NevadaGCB issued the following news release today. pic.twitter.com/uzQEwE2yy1

— Nevada Gaming Control Board (@NevadaGCB) March 5, 2025

3. Australian venue fined for underage gambling
The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria fined Victorian Amateur Turf Club $7,000 for five breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

On 10 June 2023, a child entered the gambling area of the Peninsula Club twice and was able to use the poker machines on both occasions. During the second visit to the area, while with adults, the child used a poker machine for about five minutes, until staff intervened.

2. New casino coming to Pennsylvania
Saratoga Casino Holdings and SC Gaming signed a framework agreement to develop and manage a Category 4 casino to open near the Nittany Mall in State College.

Construction of the casino is already underway and is expected to take approximately one year to complete. The casino will include up to 750 slot machines, 30 table games, a full-service restaurant, and several quick-serve dining options.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $120 million, and upon completion of the transaction, Saratoga Casino Holdings will acquire a majority interest in the property.

1. BitStarz slot player has massive winning streak
Over a period of just two weeks, one lucky player managed to score over $1.3 million in winnings on Sweet Bonanza 1000 from Pragmatic Play at BitStarz.

It began with a $258,695 win on 16 February, spread across three different sessions – two of which were just 15 minutes apart. By 20 February, that number snowballed into $1,034,709. By Monday, it was back to business. The BitStarz player kicked things off with a $105,668 win, followed by $130,749, stacking up to $343,339 in just two days.