Casino City’s Friday Five: Illegal gambling crackdown edition

11 September 2026

By Dan Ippolito

New York’s Attorney General made an impact in the battle against illegal gambling operations this week against VGW. In addition, Michigan announced that Robinhood agreed to stop offering new sports-related event contracts to Michigan bettors. Also this week, we have a major jackpot from Idaho, Circa Survivor reaching new heights, and a casino groundbreaking announcement.

Let’s kick off Friday with a six-figure win:

5. $670,246 slot win at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
A Pinehurst, Idaho man hit a progressive jackpot for $670,246 on a Bride of Frankenstein machine Tuesday morning.

He is a regular visitor at Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Idaho and he bet $32 to win the massive payout.

4. PENN announces groundbreaking ceremony for Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs
PENN Entertainment announced that it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the future Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs on 14 September.

The new land-based casino is expected to open in 2028 and will replace the company’s adjacent Ameristar Council Bluffs riverboat casino when completed.

The new $180–$200 million destination will become the 20th Hollywood-branded gaming facility in the company’s portfolio and feature approximately 1,000 slots and 25 live table games. Hollywood Council Bluffs will also include two new dining experiences: the first Shake Shack in the Omaha metropolitan area and Red Lotus, a fast casual restaurant featuring made-to-order Asian cuisine.

The new casino will connect to the existing pavilion and hotel with direct access to over 160 hotel rooms, 1853 Bistro and Steakhouse, The Sportsbook Restaurant and Bar, Club 38 VIP Lounge, and Buffet.

We're proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hollywood Casino Hotel Council Bluffs on Monday, September 14.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating yet another transition from riverboat gaming to a new best-in-class entertainment destination,” said Jay Snowden, CEO. pic.twitter.com/5H3GBGwHkr

— PENNEntertainment (@PENNEntertain) September 10, 2026

3. Circa Survivor hits $20 million guarantee
Circa Sports’ record-breaking NFL contests have officially pushed their combined prize pool past $31 million, as entries continue to surge with just a few days remaining before registration closes tomorrow.

The milestone comes as Circa Survivor officially surpassed its $20 million guarantee, reaching 20,281 entries at $1,000 per submission. Circa Million VIII stands at 4,683 entries, while the $100,000-per-entry Circa Grandissimo has grown to 55 entries. Altogether, the three no-rake contests have registered 25,019 entries for the 2026-2027 season.

2. Robinhood to halt sports-related event contracts in Michigan
Earlier this week, the Michigan Gaming Control Board announced that Robinhood Derivatives agreed to stop offering new sports-related event contracts to Michigan customers and to close out any remaining customer positions by 9 October, under a court-approved agreement.

The agreement marks another step forward in Michigan’s ongoing effort to ensure that sports wagering products are offered only through operators licensed and regulated under state law. It follows a preliminary injunction the Michigan Attorney General secured earlier this month against KalshiEX, barring that platform from offering, listing, or facilitating sports-related event contracts for anyone located in Michigan.

1. New York AG secures $8 million from VGW over illegal online gambling
New York Attorney General Letitia James secured $8 million from VGW Holdings and its affiliates, one of the largest operators of sweepstakes casinos, for unlawfully running online gambling platforms in New York.

VGW’s online casinos – Chumba Casino, Global Poker, and Luckyland Slots – allowed users to play traditional casino games using virtual coins that could be exchanged for cash or prizes. New York law prohibits online platforms from offering gambling that involves risking something of value, including redeemable virtual coins.

Sweepstakes casinos allow users to play traditional casino games, including slots, blackjack, and poker, using virtual sweepstakes coins that can be redeemed for cash or prizes, such as Amazon gift cards. Players typically purchase these virtual sweepstakes coins as part of a package with other virtual currency.

One of the largest operators of online sweepstakes casinos, @vgwco, illegally ran gambling platforms in New York that used virtual coins exchangeable for cash or prizes.

We stopped these platforms and secured $8 million from VGW for the threat it posed to New Yorkers.

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) September 9, 2026