Live Dealers coming to Las Vegas

Finally, the home of casino gambling is set to have live (online) dealers!

Yesterday MGM Resorts International (“MGM”) and Playtech agreed on a partnership that would see casino games live streamed from within MGM casinos in Las Vegas and made available to players around the world.

Playtech will be the technology partner, responsible for game capture and delivery. They do have experience when it comes to streaming in-casino tables. Their Casino Gran Madrid live games launched over a decade ago. The MGM casino games will be made available to Playtech’s network of licensee online casinos, who in turn will be able to offer the games to players in markets outside the United States.

MGM bring their trusted brand, two most iconic Vegas Strip properties and existing casino floor tables to the deal. Tables from the gaming floors on both the MGM Grand and Bellagio Resort & Casino will be included and provided under the brand MGM Live (a soon to be new menu item at your favourite Playtech live casino).

The first MGM Live tables will be American Roulette (zero and double zero) and baccarat. Obvious choices given they are both 1-to-many games and well suited to live online play.

The joint release issued yesterday did also talk of plans to broaden the game portfolio in future to include  game shows. This would require purpose built dealer studios within the MGM properties.

Bill Hornbuckle, CEO & President of MGM said of the new partnership,

“We believe the content, celebrity talent and sophisticated gaming experience that we will offer – all from the trusted and highly reputable brands of MGM Resorts – will be unmatched in the industry.”

Playtech’s Mor Weizer added,

“This alliance combines the strength of MGM Resorts’ global prestige with Playtech’s extensive international market knowledge and innovative games. As a leading technology provider in regulated markets, we are delighted that this partnership is pioneering a new live entertainment category and product offering for players in these regulated territories. Our alliance is built on a shared vision to create an innovative and unique customer experience alongside our commitment to safer gambling.”

Note the emphasis on regulated markets and safe gambling in Weizer’s quote. No doubt the Nevada Gaming Control Board took a little getting over the line on the arrangement.

Regulated markets where MGM Live games won’t be made available are all the US states where live games are regulated and legal (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan etc).  Which means they won’t be made available anywhere in the United States.

About MGM

We already know about Playtech. Here’s a little about MGM.

MGM is a casino giant based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Established in 1986 and trading on the NYSE (ticker MGM), it operates a portfolio of iconic resort and gaming destinations around the world.

MGM Grand, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage, and Aria are their best known properties on the Las Vegas Strip. MGM Macau and MGM Cotai are their two biggest casinos outside the US.

MGM also has a strong online presence via a partnership with Entain Plc (owners of the Bwin, Party Casino brands) and operation of online brand BetMGM.