This Week in Gambling: News from Vegas, Massachusetts and WSOP

This week's gambling news finds us in Las Vegas, where the World Series of Poker has officially kicked off. But as the WSOP ramps up, some Las Vegas casinos remain closed from the pandemic. Also, a Massachusetts sports betting update just in time for the NBA Finals.

It’s that time of the year again! The 2022 World Series of Poker opened for business yesterday, and thousands of poker players looking to make a name for themselves have begun to descend on Las Vegas. The 2022 World Series of Poker is historic for one major reason. You see, in the 53 year history of the event this is the first time it’s being held on The Strip. Recent players will remember the days of the Rio Casino, but old timers know the event really started in downtown, down on Fremont Street, at Binion’s Horseshoe. And speaking of horseshoes, that’s exactly what Caesars Entertainment has decided to rename their Bally's - Las Vegas Casino. This years event is hosted at Bally’s and another Caesars property, Paris Las Vegas. However, the name Bally’s was actually sold. And soon the old Bally’s branding at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo will be coming down. When that happens, the new Horseshoe Las Vegas brand will be raised.

With at least three Station Casinos still closed in the Las Vegas area, the company has announced that they could remain shuttered for at least another year. Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel, Fiesta Henderson Casino Hotel, and Texas Station Gambling Hall and Hotel are all still closed, and Station says that two of those properties have been approved by The North Las Vegas City Council to stay closed until at least 4 June 2023. Like so many others, these closures all began when the Coronavirus pandemic hit. At its height, up to 98% of Culinary Union workers were laid off. In fact, the Texas Station parking garage was being used as a testing and vaccination center.