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🎰 Gary Owens plays Blackjack? Best Advantage Slots in the US & Scariest Bars – Jackpot Journal Inside!

JACKPOT JOURNAL Newsletter – Edition Powered by All In HQ

Author

Anthony Cicali
October 23, 2025


🎰 Gary Owens plays Blackjack? Best Advantage Slots in the US & Scariest Bars – Jackpot Journal Inside!

From spooky pop-up bars haunting casino floors to the Best Advantage Slots lighting up the reels, this week’s edition is packed with thrills and chills. Vegas local scored BIG on Dragon Link, and our Podcast of the Week featuring Iman Shumpert trading jokes with comedy legend Gary Owen. Plus don’t miss our $25 Gift Card Trivia Giveaway and the season’s top haunted casino hangouts!

Plus, don’t miss our live streams, with Taylor Mathis , the Eat-A-Hoagie Challenge and over $100 in giveaways—catch the action weekly at 9PM ET on Twitch.tv/TheSlotSquad!

Jackpot Journal Insider:🎰Unlocking the Edge – Top 5 Advantage Slots in U.S. Casinos

Most slot machines are built to favor the house, but a select few offer sharp-eyed players a genuine edge. These are the elusive advantage slots, games that carry features or mechanics that can temporarily shift the math in the player’s favor. Whether it’s a progressive jackpot close to its trigger or a saved bonus left behind by another player, these machines have become the ultimate treasure hunt for slot pros and casuals alike. Here are the Top 5 current advantage slots you can still find on U.S. casino floors and what makes them tick.

Top 5 Advantage Slots in the U.S.

1️⃣ Mustang Money (Ainsworth – “Must Hit By” Progressive)

  • Found in: Regional and tribal casinos nationwide, and select Vegas floors.

  • Advantage: The progressive jackpot must hit before a set dollar amount. When the jackpot climbs close to that number (for example, “must hit by $500”), every spin gains positive expected value — the closer it gets, the higher your odds of hitting the pot.

2️⃣ Buffalo Link (Aristocrat – Persistent Progress Feature)

  • Found in: Major Las Vegas casinos, Arizona, and Atlantic City.

  • Advantage: Buffalo Link accumulates bonus symbols over time. If a prior player leaves mid-progress, the next player inherits partially built bonuses — giving them a better chance to trigger a lucrative feature quickly.

3️⃣ Regal Riches (AGS – Meter Building Mechanic)

  • Found in: Popular on Las Vegas Strip and Midwest casinos.

  • Advantage: This game builds a gem meter that carries over between spins. If a player walks away with the meter nearly full, the next player can jump in when a bonus is nearly guaranteed, turning a cold machine into a +EV opportunity.

4️⃣ Emperor’s Coins (IGT – Hold & Spin Style with Saved States)

  • Found in: East Coast and Midwest casinos with IGT banked machines.

  • Advantage: These slots save partial progress toward “Hold & Spin” bonus rounds. When coins or symbols are left close to triggering, the next player can finish the feature setup and grab the bonus at a discount.

5️⃣ Rising Fortunes (Konami – Multi-Level Progressive Advantage)

  • Found in: Select casinos in Nevada, Mississippi, and New Jersey.

  • Advantage: Multiple progressive levels fill as you play. When certain meters are nearly topped off, the odds of landing a big prize improve dramatically. Advantage players monitor these meters and jump in only when they’re “ready to pop.”

💡 Pro Tip:
Advantage slots aren’t about luck — they’re about timing, patience, and observation. Keep your eyes peeled for meters near full, jackpots close to their “must-hit” mark, or bonus features just one spin away from triggering.

Ghostly Spirits: Top 5 Haunted Pop-Up Bars Invading Casinos Nationwide


This October, casinos across the country are raising the stakes … and the spirits, with haunted pop-up bars that mix eerie atmospheres with themed cocktails and spine-tingling entertainment. From rooftop chills in Las Vegas to spooky lounges in Atlantic City, here are five of the best haunted bar experiences to sip, scare, and celebrate the season in true casino style.

1️⃣ Circa Las Vegas – “Haunted Heights” at Legacy Club
Perched high above Fremont Street, Circa’s Legacy Club transforms into a sleek, ghostly rooftop retreat. Guests can enjoy Halloween-themed cocktails, skyline views, live DJs, and a massive costume contest with cash prizes. It’s luxury meets fright night in the sky.

2️⃣ Horseshoe Las Vegas – “Trilogy of Spirits” at The Cabinet of Curiosities & The Lock
This haunted speakeasy experience combines mystery and mixology. Hidden behind a secret door, guests find a dark, immersive bar decked out with eerie decor, smoky cocktails, and a whisper of the supernatural. Expect craft drinks with names that bite — like the Poisoned Apple and Quoth the Raven.

3️⃣ Resorts Casino Atlantic City – “The Boo Bar” at Bar One
Bar One turns into The Boo Bar for the season, complete with creepy lighting, themed cocktails like the Candy Corn Martini, and live entertainment every weekend. Guests can enjoy a festive yet spooky vibe right on the Atlantic City boardwalk — plus, there are costume nights and prize giveaways throughout October.

4️⃣ Mohegan Sun, Connecticut – “The Spookeasy”
Mohegan Sun’s newest pop-up bar brings an old-Hollywood haunt to life with vintage horror decor, haunting jazz, and inventive drinks such as Black Magic and Jason’s Revenge. Located inside the Sky Tower Lobby, the Spookeasy offers a perfect blend of class and creep for hotel guests and visitors alike.

5️⃣ Ameristar Casino Kansas City – “Lost Souls Lounge”
Ameristar’s haunted train-car bar offers guests a one-of-a-kind Halloween ride. The Lost Souls Lounge features spooky decor, fog-filled cocktails, and themed nights aboard a retro-styled lounge. Open select weekends in October, it’s a chilling stop for anyone looking to gamble with ghosts.

🕯️ Pro Tip:
Make reservations early — these pop-ups tend to vanish faster than a ghost at sunrise. Costumes are encouraged, courage is optional.

🎰 🎉Big Winner of the Week – Stephanie Watkins Hits Big at Rampart Casino! 🎰


On September 7, 2025, Las Vegas local Stephanie Watkins turned a casual spin into a life-changing moment, landing a $51,507 jackpot on a $5 spin while playing Dragon Link at Rampart Casino in Summerlin.

Dragon Link, one of Aristocrat’s most popular linked progressive slot series, combines stunning visuals with the fan-favorite “Hold & Spin” feature that keeps players on the edge of their seats. Known for its massive progressive jackpots and bonus-triggering fireball symbols, it remains one of the hottest titles on any casino floor.

Located just minutes from the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Rampart Casino is part of the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa. The casino features over 1,500 slot machines, 40+ table games, and a dedicated poker room known for its friendly atmosphere and daily tournaments. Blending upscale comfort with neighborhood charm, Rampart has earned a reputation as one of Summerlin’s hidden gems for locals and visitors alike.

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All In’s Picks of the Week:

🧠 Trivia of the Week – Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Question: What is the name of the Haunted Bar at Bar One in Resorts AC?

📩 Reply to this email with the correct answer to be entered into the drawing. One lucky winner will be selected live during our next stream at twitch.tv/theslotsquad!

🎥 Clip of the Week:

This week’s highlight goes to Hoagie, who turned a casual $1 spin into a 183x payout while playing Kitty Glitter on PlayStar Casino! Developed by IGT (International Game Technology), Kitty Glitter is one of the most beloved classic slot titles, known for its purring charm, sparkling diamond symbols, and timeless 5-reel, 30-payline setup. With an RTP (Return to Player) of around 94.92%, this feline favorite offers steady base game wins and a free spins bonus where the kitties turn wild Watch weekly at twitch.tv/TheSlotSquad

🎧 Casino Podcast of the Week

This week’s spotlight goes to No Limit with Iman Shumpert, recorded right at a blackjack table inside the iconic Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Comedian Gary Owen plays some 21 and joins Iman Shumpert for Episode 5! Gary breaks down why it’s so easy to roast LeBron James, recalls doing stand-up with O.J. Simpson in the crowd just after the trial, and shares his wild rise in the comedy world.


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