Casino City’s Friday Five: Crypto and prediction market updates edition

This week’s Friday Five covers major developments across the gaming industry, from the CFTC’s proposed new rules for prediction markets to Sahara Las Vegas becoming the first Las Vegas Strip casino to announce cryptocurrency-funded gaming transactions. We also look at a reprimand issued to Dutch online gambling operator 711, a bingo jackpot at Seminole Brighton Bay Casino and the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s decision to revoke casino gambling privileges from eight individuals.

Let’s begin with a jackpot:

5. Seminole Brighton Bay awards $198,200 bingo win
A lucky player won $198,200 U Pick’em bingo jackpot during a regular Bingo Session on 6 October at Seminole Brighton Bay Hotel & Casino in Florida.

The six-figure jackpot was awarded after the player completed the U Pick’em in 20 numbers or less. The jackpot has since been reset to $62,300.

4. PA Gaming Control Board revokes gambling privileges from eight individuals
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board took actions to place eight individuals on its Involuntary Casino Exclusion List which prohibits individuals from gaming in a casino in Pennsylvania.

The actions by the Board include placement of five adults on the Involuntary Casino Exclusion list for leaving minors unattended at a casino property while they gambled:

- A female patron who left an 11-month-old in a vehicle in the parking garage of Rivers Casino Philadelphia for 1 hour 52 minutes while she patroned the table game area;
- Two patrons, a male and female who left an 11-year-old in the food court of Wind Creek Bethlehem for 1 hour 14 minutes while they gambled on slot machines; and
- Two patrons, a male and female who left an 11-year-old and two dogs in a vehicle in the parking lot of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia for 23 minutes while they gambled on slot machines.

3. Dutch regulator reprimands 711 over withdrawal restrictions
The Dutch Gaming Authority reprimanded 711 for requiring some customers to wager deposited funds before they could withdraw them. This type of wagering requirement is only permitted in conjunction with an offered bonus, and even then, under strict conditions. In all other cases, gambling companies must always pay out as quickly as possible.

When someone wishes to withdraw their deposited money, that balance must be refunded immediately. Gambling companies may not impose structural conditions that prevent such immediate payout.

The Ksa received a report that 711 applies such wagering requirements to people using payment methods other than a 'regular' bank account. According to 711, this procedure was established as part of measures to prevent money laundering.

2. SARAHA becomes first Las Vegas Strip casino to offer crypto payments
BurraPay, a provider of cryptocurrency payment solutions for the regulated casino gaming industry, has deployed its cryptocurrency payment platform at Sahara Las Vegas, making it the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip to announce compliant cryptocurrency-funded gaming transactions at its Casino Cage.

“SAHARA Las Vegas continues to evolve with a focus on delivering a modern, seamless experience for our guests,” said Craig Pleva, General Manager of SAHARA Las Vegas. “Expanding our payment options to include cryptocurrency is a natural next step, giving our guests greater flexibility and convenience while embracing the innovation shaping the future of Las Vegas. BurraPay provides a compliant solution that allows us to introduce this option thoughtfully and responsibly.”

1. CFTC proposes new rule for prediction markets
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has proposed a new rule that would explicitly classify event contracts covering sports, politics, cultural events and weather as swaps.

The proposal aims to clarify how these financial contracts are defined under existing regulations and resolve uncertainty over their classification.

“Americans use event contracts to hedge risks, speculate, and provide the public with information about the outcome of future events,” said Chairman Michael S. Selig. “These products are commodity derivatives squarely within the CFTC’s regulatory remit under the Commodity Exchange Act and are within the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction.”

.@CFTC Issues Interim Final Rule Excluding Certain Activity from the Definition of Swap: https://t.co/I3yD6XV58b

— CFTC (@CFTC) October 9, 2026