What luck! At least that’s what an Australian woman thought nearly two years ago when she used a $1 credit someone had left in a poker machine at an Adelaide casino and hit the $100,000 jackpot. Her celebration soon turned to disappointment, however, when the casino authorities informed her they were unable to honor the prize because it was against regulations to pay wins on abandoned money. The regulation is aimed at encouraging gamblers to take breaks without losing their seat at their machine of choice. However, after a lengthy review by the Office of the Gambling Commissioner, a check was finally presented to the woman this past December. The Commission’s position apparently softened when the situation was formally and thoroughly reviewed.

Elvis The King Slot Machine Introduced in London
The new Elvis The King slot machine was introduced at a gaming expo in London, complete with an Elvis impersonator greeting the guests. The slot is designed as a classic jukebox and features base games, bonuses, and progressives—all themed around Elvis. The bonus rounds feature some of Elvis’s most famous hit songs such as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Hound Dog.” Elvis The King slot machines are soon expected to be coming to casinos around the world.

Casinos May Fund Japan Earthquake Recovery
As Japan continues to recover from last year’s devastating earthquake, attention has turned to finding ways to financially recover from the event. Recently, a cross-party group of Japanese leaders has been promoting the idea of legalizing casinos in the country to raise revenue for the reconstruction. Included in the group are influential politicians, with four former prime ministers lending credibility to the proposal. With casino development and gambling becoming a major economic staple in Asia, Japan is considering casino legalization to further promote tourism and regain the momentum that was lost with the natural disaster.

Lost $10,000 Winnings Returned
Faith in humanity has been restored—at least for a little while. Mitch Gilbert, a Colorado realtor, was catching a flight home at the Las Vegas airport when he found two Caesar’s Palace envelopes, each containing $5,000. Upon returning home, he contacted the airport to report the findings, only to be told they couldn’t accept the details of the incident as it was apparently against official rules. Not to be deterred, Gilbert keep calling the airport for two weeks and eventually was told about a man from El Paso who had reported the missing money. It seems the man lost the envelopes while rushing to catch his flight. After contacting the man, Gilbert was able to deposit the money in the man’s bank account just before Christmas. Gilbert has now been referred to as “a saint in Sin City.”

Northern Edge Navajo Casino Opens
On Monday, January 16, the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise celebrated the grand opening of the Northern Edge Navajo Casino. Located near Farmington, the 86,000 square foot facility contains 750 slot machines, six poker tables, 10 live table games, a full service restaurant, food court, gift shop, and players club. The casino features artwork by Navajo artists including Navajo rugs, Navajo baskets, wood carvings, and Navajo pottery. In addition, special Navajo features were incorporated into the décor of the building, such as a large mural, custom Navajo chandeliers, and a special Navajo ceiling. The casino is expected to create 374 full-time jobs with an annual payroll of $12 million. Northern Edge Navajo Casino is the third casino to open under the direction of the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise.

Google Maps Offers Guidance Through Some Vegas Casinos
Did you ever wander through some of the large Las Vegas casinos not knowing where you were or where you were going? Google Maps now comes to the rescue. The web giant announced that the indoor mapping feature of its Google Maps service now displays the floor plans for some Vegas casinos and hotels, as well as various other hot spots around the city, such as the massive Las Vegas Convention Center and the International Airport. Properties such as Caesars Palace, Bellagio, the Venetian, the Palazzo, the MGM Grand, and others now have their floor plans available on the Maps app for Android devices. No excuse for getting lost any longer!

Vegas Priest Bilks Money from Church to Gamble
Las Vegas has undoubtedly corrupted a few people through the years, however, this time it was a man of God. A parish priest funneled over $650,000 in cash from his followers to embark on numerous gambling sprees over a period of eight years. Apparently, many of his parishioners believe in forgiveness, as the prosecutor’s office has received numerous letters suggesting probation for the priest, rather than jail time. So far, the prosecutor hasn’t agreed.

New Life for the Sahara Hotel Casino
After falling victim to the recession and closing its doors several months ago, the famed Sahara in Las Vegas may be ready for a comeback. A remodeling plan was approved for the Sahara, which served celebrities and gamblers for almost 60 years. The existing room towers will be renovated, the roller coaster will be dismantled, a beer garden will be added, a large nightclub will be built, meeting and convention space will be constructed, and the casino floor will be renovated. The project will likely breathe new life into the north end of the Strip, which has been in decline. No specific timetable has been announced, but funding appears to be in place.