Published on: September 19, 2025, 09:00h.
Updated on: September 19, 2025, 09:00h.
- John Cerasani has been prohibited from several Las Vegas Strip casinos.
- The influencer advertised an unregulated sportsbook on his social media.
- He boasts nearly 800K followers on Instagram.
John Cerasani, a noted social media personality who dubs himself the “greatest blackjack player in history,” has been declared unwelcome at multiple prominent Las Vegas Strip casinos. This follows his promotion of an unregulated offshore online casino and sportsbook via his Instagram account.
Cerasani, with 614K followers on one Instagram account and 173K on another, recently advertised MyBookie.ag on social media. This offshore entity, based in Curacao, is not licensed for operating iGaming or sports betting in any US state and has received cease-and-desist notices in the past. In January, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) issued a warning to MyBookie for violating state gaming regulations.
The promotional material shared by Cerasani, featuring a scantily clad model, suggests a financial arrangement with MyBookie, especially as he included a promotional code for his audience.
iGaming is only legal in seven states, while sports betting is permitted in 39. The gaming sector markets its proposals to regulators emphasizing tax income and consumer protection—elements jeopardized by unregulated, offshore firms.
A confidential source informed Casino.org that several Las Vegas casino operators have prohibited Cerasani from their venues due to the reputational and regulatory risks of associating with illegal gambling advocates.
Tribal Casinos Also Prohibit Cerasani Following MyBookie Issue
The same source revealed that Cerasani has also been banned from Foxwoods in Connecticut, Hard Rock International, and Seminole Gaming.
The Seminole Tribe operates casinos in Florida under the Hard Rock name, while Hard Rock International manages additional locations with that branding across the United States and globally. Consequently, Cerasani’s gambling options have significantly diminished, affecting his ability to wager at venues like Hard Rock Casino Rockford in Illinois, situated close to his Chicago hometown.
It is believed that Hard Rock and the Seminole Tribe were among the first to act upon discovering Cerasani was promoting MyBookie on Instagram. While this response is not surprising, it is indeed a wise move considering regulatory concerns. Hard Rock Digital holds a sports betting monopoly in Florida and provides online sports wagering in states such as Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Arizona and Tennessee have been particularly vigilant about issuing cease-and-desist orders to illegal gaming operators attempting to enter their markets and have successfully eliminated some of these entities.
Cerasani Utilizes Common Influencer Strategies
In an attempt to engage younger bettors, casinos, including those in Las Vegas, have relaxed filming policies in recent years. While filming was once restricted on casino premises, this change aims to attract socially savvy Gen Z and millennials, leading gaming companies to ease previous rules.
This shift has allowed a host of influencers like Cerasani to gain fame online, capitalizing on their experiences in casinos and claimed winnings to attract followers and secure endorsement deals. Cerasani’s approach mirrors tactics often seen with penny stock and cryptocurrency traders, featuring bravado, confidence, and discussions about wealth.
“A previous W-2 worker sharing his journey to a life outside the ordinary. Entrepreneur. Venture Capitalist. Champion. The finest blackjack player to ever exist,” is how he describes himself on his YouTube channel.
“General population” is a term from prison lingo, and in this context, Cerasani suggests that his gambling achievements have allowed him to escape the traditional grind and lead an exceptional life.