Las Vegas News - Terry Fator Cancelled, Did Sports Betting Legalization Ruin Vegas?

Terry Fator's Ventriloquist Act Gets Silenced After 16+ Years

In an absolutely stunning announcement, Terry Fator's amazing run of over sixteen years of residency on the Las Vegas Strip is coming to an abrupt close.

The producers of Fator's residency at the Strat Theater in the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino announced on Tuesday that his evening show would be his last.

According to a statement from his PR firm, it looks like Fator will be heading on the road in the wake of his show's cancellation at the Strat. In a statement praising Las Vegas as his home, Fator stated:

"I can’t wait to bring my characters, comedy, and music to symphony stages, share some brand-new television projects, and expand my touring schedule with an all-new road show."

Fator got his start on America's Got Talent and creator Simon Cowell told People Magazine in 2002 that there was absolutely "no question" that he was the most successful contestant the show ever had.

After winning America's Got Talent, Fator signed a five year contract to perform at the Mirage in the former Danny Gans Theater and managed to have a stretch of 3,500 performances at the property, including a show that yours truly attended.

Spiraling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mirage elected not to renew Fator's contract when it concluded in December 2020.

After the Mirage run, Fator performed in a smaller venue at New York-New York. Following that short run, Fator made a deal in May 2024 to head over to the Strat Theater, where he performed roughly 200 more times before Tuesday's cancellation.

Altogether, it is estimated that Fator made around $100 million from his Las Vegas Strip residencies...not too shabby for a ventriloquist and a box full of dummies.

Pennsylvania Posts Incredible 14.5% Year Over Year Gambling Growth

While Las Vegas casinos are in a tailspin, one state, or should we say commonwealth, is posting incredible results.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has announced revenue stats for August 2025, and they are incredible. The state posted $582.3 million from all forms of gambling during the month, a mind-blowing increase of 14.5% compared to the same month last year.

The August total represents the state's second best month on record, and also a 4.5% increase over the July numbers.

The $582.3 million figure includes all forms of gambling in the state, both online and brick-and-mortar.

In terms of bottom line tax revenue, the state earned $238.5 million during the month of August. For the 2024 fiscal year, the total was $2.4 billion.

Atlantic City Visitor Hits $750,000+ Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Jackpot

A New York woman visiting Atlantic City took down one of the best table game progressive jackpots we have ever seen.

The lucky lady hit a royal flush progressive jackpot while playing Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em Poker at Atlantic City's Harrah's Resort a few days ago on September 21st.

Her haul? An amazing $759,128.

In case you're curious, the odds of getting a royal flush in Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em is about one in 30,940. If you need a royal flush in a specific suit to take down a jackpot, it's four times more difficult, making the odds around one in 124,000 hands.