Gambling in the USA
The Comedy Works announces spring/summer lineup at the Plaza Hotel & Casino

Nationally acclaimed comedians return to entertain in vintage Vegas showroom
The Comedy Works will reopen at the Plaza Hotel & Casino with a star-studded spring/summer lineup of nationally acclaimed headliners beginning April 30. Shows will be at 9 p.m. inside the Plaza’s vintage Vegas showroom featuring red velvet booth seating, an updated sound system, full bars, and table cocktail service. Tickets start at only $25 (plus taxes, fees) and are available online at https://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/the-comedy-works/. New shows are added regularly.
Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1: Kevin Farley – After studying at Second City in Chicago, Farley starred in films such as Black Sheep with his brother Chris Farley and The Waterboy with Adam Sandler. He is a regular comedian at The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles and Chicago and The Improv in Los Angeles and Palm Beach. His many TV guest appearances include Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rules of Engagement, Hot in Cleveland, Just Shoot Me, and Hawaii Five -O.
Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8: Jim Florentine – Making audiences laugh for nearly 25 years, Florentine has recorded six stand-up comedy albums, shot four full-length specials, and currently hosts his own program on Sirius XM. On television, he hosted seven seasons of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show and on radio, he is a regular on The Howard Stern show. He is also a bestselling author, renowned voice over talent and has been in the films Beer League with Artie Lange and Trainwreck with Amy Schumer.
Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22: Lavell Crawford – Best known for playing Saul Goodman’s bodyguard “Huell Babineaux” on AMC’s Breaking Bad, Crawford starred alongside Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg, and Uma Thurman in American Ultra. He has guest hosted the Steve Harvey Radio Show, appeared on Chelsea Lately, Tosh.O and Workaholics and his second one-hour special Lavell Crawford: Can A Brother Get Some Love recently premiered on Comedy Central.
Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29: Augie T. – A Hawaiian comic, tv and movie actor, and radio personality, Augie T. has been performing for nearly three decades. Named one of the U.S.’s top undiscovered comedians by Thrillist and funniest comic in Hawaii by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and MidWeek newspapers, he was awarded best comedy show by Honolulu Magazine and won 2 Na Hoku Hano Hano awards (Hawaii’s equivalent to the Grammy Award). He has also appeared on the Wayne Brady Show, was a regular on Baywatch Hawaii, and had roles on Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I.
Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5: Luis J. Gomez – A comedian, writer, podcaster, and producer based in New York City, Gomez is most known as one of the hosts of the popular podcast Legion of Skanks. His television appearances include NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle, and TruTV’s Comedy Knockout. Gomez co-hosted The Countdown on Sirius XM with former UFC champion Michael Bisping. In 2017, they turned the show into the podcast Believe You Me, which debuted at #1 in iTunes Sports.
Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19: Chris Kattan – As one of the longest serving cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Kattan may be best known for the characters “Mango,” “Mr Peepers,” and as one of the “Butabi Brothers” in the “Night at the Roxbury” sketch alongside Will Ferrell. He then starred with Ferrell in a 1998 movie adaption of the sketch. Since SNL, he has worked as a series regular on ABC’s The Middle and in the movies Hotel Transylvania and The Ridiculous 6. He currently tours the country with his extremely popular stand-up act.
Friday, July 23 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 24 at 7 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.: T.J. Miller “The Best Medicine Tour: Doing it Right” – Miller has been performing his absurdist observational standup act worldwide for more than 15 years. He has hosted comedy specials on Comedy Central and HBO and appeared on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Miller has also been in more than 25 major studio films, such as She’s Out of My League, Seeking A Friend for The End of The World, Rock of Ages, and Yogi Bear 3D. He received the Critics’ Choice Award for his work in the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley. His voice stars in many movies, including as Gene in the Emoji Movie, Fred in Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated feature Big Hero 6, and Tuffnut in the Oscar-nominated animated films How to Train Your Dragon and How to Train Your Dragon 2.
Gambling in the USA
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Named Luckiest Casino in US by Casinos.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been named the luckiest casino in the US according to a recent study conducted by Casinos.com. The resort claimed the top spot based on an in-depth analysis of Tripadvisor reviews, measuring the frequency of luck-related keyword mentions.
With a 25.49% luck rate, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa topped the list thanks to glowing guest feedback, including frequent mentions of jackpots, hand pays and bonus wins. 50 reviews mentioned the word “jackpot,” and 19 even referenced a “hand pay.”
Casinos.com tracked keywords such as lucky, luck, won, winning, success, jackpot, hand pay, winner, bonus, profit to determine which U.S. casinos inspired the most winning moments among visitors.
“I hit 4 jackpots. I stayed one night. I had a blast. The machines are as loose as anywhere else,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, noted Casinos.com, capturing the essence of why the casino landed in the No. 1 spot.
“We’ve always known this was a lucky casino, but it’s exciting to see that recognized through data-driven research. It’s a testament to the vibrant energy on our casino floor and the unforgettable experiences we strive to create for every guest,” said Steve Bonner, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
The ranking reinforces Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s reputation as one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the US. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa was not involved in the study and was unaware of it until the results were publicly released.
Over the past year, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has paid out nearly 839,000 jackpots totaling more than $2.45 billion, continuing to deliver thrilling high-stakes gaming. Since May 1, 2024, the casino resort has awarded 375 jackpots of $100,000 or more, amounting to an impressive $61 million in winnings. Notably, 47 of those massive wins stemmed from bets of $5 or less and nine came from wagers of $3 or less.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa offers a fully integrated casino experience with a sleek, modern design and welcoming atmosphere of 245,000 square feet of gaming space and entertainment. With 5230 of the hottest slot machines and a full range of table games such as poker, blackjack and baccarat, there is no shortage of opportunities to win. Additionally, guests can enjoy live craps, roulette, and sports betting at their leisure.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.
Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage
The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.
Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved
The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.
Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions
Among key licensing matters:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
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Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.
Key Employee Licensing Actions
The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.
Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny
The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.
Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.
Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals
Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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PDS Gaming, LLC
Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.
Notable Withdrawals and Denials
In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.
A Broader Look Ahead
With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.
Gambling in the USA
NEW YORK CASINO IN MEXICO WELCOMES CONCEPT AND NEW GAMES FROM ZITRO

The renowned Mexican operator Logrand has installed Zitro’s new CONCEPT cabinets and a selection of its latest games at the New York Casino in Monterrey.
Building on its global success, the CONCEPT cabinet line stands out for its Magic Lighting, immersing players in a synchronized light display, resulting in a unique sensory experience. Furthermore, the cabinet’s large Screen Deck blends comfort with intuitive functionality, optimizing the experience for players and operational teams.
The installation of the CONCEPT cabinets is complemented by the addition of the medieval-themed multi-game Legendary Sword, in which players can double their prizes through unique mechanics with the help of a magic sword.
On the other hand, Fairyland Quest takes players to an enchanted forest where Magic Mushrooms give access to a different bonus each, while a friendly Fairy will give a special bonus that doubles the playing area.
Juan David Baracaldo, Director of Operations and Product, highlighted: “The addition of Zitro’s CONCEPT cabinets is a great step to continue offering unique and high-quality experiences to our players. The unique combination of technology, spectacular graphics, and the experience these cabinets offer will further elevate our casino’s entertainment offering.”
For his part, Johnny Ortiz Viveiros, founder of Zitro, expressed: “We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Logrand, a strategic partner that shares our vision of providing exceptional gaming experiences. The new CONCEPT cabinets and games like Legendary Sword and Fairyland Quest are just the beginning of what will transform how players enjoy entertainment.”
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