Gambler bets $250 on slot machine — then wins big jackpot at New Jersey casino
The guest sat at a Gong Gong Lai Fu Mighty Buddha slot machine Aug. 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the casino said in an Aug. 12 news release.
The player from Bloomfield bet $250, hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen.
Then a $205,500 jackpot message appeared.
Another gambler got lucky at the same casino that day.
The visitor from Staten Island, New York, bet $5 on a Magic Pearl Lightning Cash slot machine and hit the $86,969.29 jackpot.
Casinos were legalized in Atlantic City in 1976. Since then, the city has grown into a small resort and gaming city along the Atlantic Coast with casinos, nightclubs and entertainment.
The area, which is about a 125-mile drive south from New York City, brings in about 27 million people every year, according to city officials.
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Northwest Indiana casinos report decrease in casino revenues in July
Northwest Indiana's three casinos reported revenues of $69 million in July, a decrease of about 4.3% from the approximately $72.1 million reported for the same month last year, according to the Indiana Gaming Commission's monthly gaming report. Hard Rock Northern Indiana saw a slight decrease in earnings with about $37.3 million reported for July 2025 compared to $37.6 million reported in July 2024, according to the report. Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said July was a stronger month compared to June, but 'flat' compared to July 2024. 'The entire Northwest Indiana market was down, for us to stay relatively flat to prior year was a good thing for us. As we're starting to finish out summer and head into fall, our entertainment calendar really starts to get a little more packed,' Schuffert said. The Fourth of July was on a Friday this year, which helped increase revenues, Schuffert said. July marked the 45th month in a row Hard Rock remained the state's leader for gaming revenue, he said. 'Definitely a good, strong month for Hard Rock Northern Indiana in July,' Schuffert said. Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar Casino in East Chicago also reported decreases in revenue year over year in July. Horseshoe Hammond reported approximately $19 million in revenues in July 2025 and $20 million in revenues in July 2024. Ameristar Casino reported $12.7 million in revenues in July 2025 and $14.5 million in revenues in July 2024, according to the report. Hard Rock reported an increase in revenue from June to July, while Horseshoe Hammond and Ameristar saw a decrease in revenue in the same time period. Hard Rock reported $31.7 million in revenues in June and $37.3 million in July, according to the report. Horseshoe Hammond reported $21.2 million in revenues in June and $19 million in July, while Ameristar reported $12.9 million in revenues in June and $12.7 million in July, according to the report. Ameristar and Horseshoe Hammond officials did not respond to requests for comment. August tends to be 'a mixed bag,' as parents help their students go back to school, Schuffert said. But, this August has five full weekends, including a part of Labor Day weekend, which could help bump up the numbers, he said. 'It's usually a decent month, not a great month,' Schuffert said.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
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Gambler bets $250 on slot machine — then wins big jackpot at New Jersey casino
A gambler walked away with a big jackpot prize after visiting a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The guest sat at a Gong Gong Lai Fu Mighty Buddha slot machine Aug. 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, the casino said in an Aug. 12 news release. The player from Bloomfield bet $250, hit spin and watched as the symbols flashed across the screen. Then a $205,500 jackpot message appeared. Another gambler got lucky at the same casino that day. The visitor from Staten Island, New York, bet $5 on a Magic Pearl Lightning Cash slot machine and hit the $86,969.29 jackpot. Casinos were legalized in Atlantic City in 1976. Since then, the city has grown into a small resort and gaming city along the Atlantic Coast with casinos, nightclubs and entertainment. The area, which is about a 125-mile drive south from New York City, brings in about 27 million people every year, according to city officials.
New York Post
05-08-2025
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Hard Rock International fires top exec in betting scandal as it plans NYC casino with Mets owner Steve Cohen
Hard Rock International fired a top executive at the center of a shady betting scandal — as the company pushes a joint bid with Mets owner Steve Cohen to open a casino complex near Citi Field in Queens. Hard Rock axed Alex Pariente, its senior vice president for hotel and casino operations, after a whistleblower claimed he engaged in shady money structuring practices with clients and allowed credit markers to go unpaid at its casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 'Hard Rock International has completed its initial investigation in connection with recent public allegations regarding executives at Hard Rock Punta Cana Casino and can confirm it has separated with the executive in question,' the company said in a statement to The Post on Tuesday. Advertisement 6 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino entrance in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Getty Images 6 Hard Rock axed Alex Pariente, its senior vice president for hotel and casino operations, after a whistleblower claimed he engaged in shady money structuring practices with clients and allowed credit markers to go unpaid at its casino in Punta Cana. AP 6 Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets. Brad Penner-Imagn Images The internal probe included independent investigators from 'two of the nation's most respected law firms who specialize in gaming regulatory and compliance issues,' the company said. Advertisement 'We take these matters seriously and remain committed to our guests, partners and team members,' the statement added. Hard Rock International, which recently submitted a joint bid with Mets owner Steve Cohen for a license to operate a $8 billion casino complex next to the team's Queens ballpark, fired a top executive accused of engaging in improper betting practices. The scandal comes at an unwelcome time, as Hard Rock and Cohen are in dogged pursuit of one of up to three state licenses to operate a casino in the New York City downstate region. The Hard Rock-Cohen plans would see construction of an $8 billion casino complex but gaming regulators will weigh each bidder's background as part of the review. Advertisement High stakes gambler RJ Cipriani is the whistleblower who notified Hard Rock brass of Paliente's alleged actions. 6 Axed Hard Rock executive, Alex Pariente. Linkedin Among the alleged misdeeds cited was an instance in which an employee, at Pariente's behest, took a $100,000 deposit from a Chinese national. To avoid anti-money laundering regulations, she broke up the sum into 33 separate $3,000 deposits, violating reporting requirements, according to Cipriani. Cipriani said the IRS criminal unit and gaming regulators in Florida, Las Vegas and New York are aware of the situation. Advertisement 'I applaud [Hard Rock CEO] Jim Allen for believing in the intel I presented him with over a month ago. He acted swiftly,' Cipriani told The Post Tuesday. 6 The internal probe included independent investigators from 'two of the nation's most respected law firms who specialize in gaming regulatory and compliance issues,' the company said. Getty Images for Hard Rock Hotel 6 Jim Allen, CEO of Hard Rock International. AP 'I didn't want the negative and illegal things that happened in Punta Cana to reflect negatively on Hard Rock's attempt to get the downstate license in New York.' Hard Rock International is the gaming unit of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which operates 18 casinos in the US, Canada and Punta Cana. Paliente's ouster was first reported by The state Gaming Facility Location Board received eight casino bids, including the Metropolitan Park proposal from Cohen-Hard Rock at Willets Point. The bids are currently being reviewed by community advisory committees.
