Casino City’s Friday Five: Pennsylvania online gambling edition

In the last week, the Keystone State took over headlines in the gaming industry. On 15 July, Pennsylvania online gambling opened up for online casinos to launch. Also this week, we saw a massive jackpot win, Topgolf heading to Mississippi, and a hotel and sportsbook opening.

Let’s begin with Topgolf news:

5. Beau Rivage brings Topgolf Swing Suite to Mississippi
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, the MGM Resorts International property that sits on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, will unveil the region’s first Topgolf Swing Suite in early September.

The Topgolf Swing Suite will feature three simulator bays and a variety of virtual games – including the popular Topgolf target game, Zombie Dodgeball, Hockey Shots, Baseball Pitching, Quarterback Challenge and Carnival Classic– paired with comfortable lounge seating,10 HDTVs, two sports betting kiosks, and food and beverage service from the adjacent Black Clover Lounge.

Simulator bays allow guests to play in groups of up to eight players on the Full Swing golf simulator, the same simulator used by PGA TOUR pros Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day for off-course practice.

Topgolf suites have also recently opened at property many other casino properties, including Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica (see below), MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City.

Where leisure meets play. @topgolf Swing Suite opening Fall 2019. #TopgolfSwingSuite pic.twitter.com/d9KS953LL8

— Beau Rivage Casino (@BeauBiloxi) July 24, 2019

4. $2.1 million jackpot awarded by Treasure Cove Casino
A lucky player at Treasure Cove Casino and Bingo in British Columbia, Canada won a $2,152,860 Canadian-dollar jackpot on IGT’s Powerbucks theme, Powerhits on 13 July. The jackpot marks the largest Powerbucks jackpot awarded since the theme made its Canadian debut in 2016.

“BCLC and Treasure Cove Casino are thrilled that our player won the largest Powerbucks jackpot of all time,” said Brad Desmarais, BCLC Vice President of Casino and Community Gaming. “Since its arrival in British Columbia, the Powerbucks theme has quickly become a player-favorite title with its anticipation-building cross-channel jackpot pool.”

3. Binion's Gambling Hall announces opening of Hotel Apache
Binion's Gambling Hall in Downtown Las Vegas will celebrate the opening of Hotel Apache on Monday, when guests can stay in a boutique hotel featuring 81 rooms with vintage-style furnishings reminiscent of the original Hotel Apache that opened in 1932.

Prices for rooms start at $99 per night on weekdays and $199 on weekends.

The Monday opening will be commemorated with a ribbon cutting ceremony by Mayor, the Honorable Carolyn G. Goodman.

"There is so much happening in Downtown Las Vegas and I am thrilled that Binion's is offering the new Hotel Apache experience," Mayor Goodman said. "Downtown has always been the place in our city for history and the vintage Vegas vibe, so this concept is a perfect fit!"

2. Gold Strike Casino Resort opens Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill
Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi introduced the $7 million Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill this week, featuring more than 60 HD screens, including three-meal dining, sportsbook, VIP lounge, lively entertainment, and the Mid-South’s first Topgolf Swing Suite.

Once inside the 6,000-square-foot space sportsbook, guests are greeted by two 16-foot-wide by 9-foot-tall video displays that can operate as 16 individual screens, in various combinations or as one large display. Underneath the viewing wall sits a 50-foot-long bar with 16 video poker machines.

More than a sportsbook, Moneyline offers a diverse menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also serves 12 beers on tap, plus a variety of bottled domestic, imported and craft beers, along with a championship-caliber cocktail and wine program.

Your ultimate sports betting destination has arrived. We are happy to announce the GRAND OPENING of Moneyline Book, Bar & Grill this Friday, July 26.

Learn more: https://t.co/GyGseSch1f pic.twitter.com/tCY51RJafP

— Gold Strike Tunica (@GoldStrikeMGM) July 24, 2019

1. Pennsylvania online gambling goes live
The fourth state to regulate online gambling is officially open for business. Last week, Pennsylvania joined New Jersey, West Virginia and Delaware as the only U.S. states to offer online casinos.

Three internet casinos have launched, offering slots, video poker and a limited number of table games. However, residents are still looking for online poker.

On 15 July, it all began when online casinos for Parx Casino and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course went live.

On 19 July, NetEnt announced that its games have gone live for the online casinos in Pennsylvania as well.