MGM Grand has introduced an online casino, Live from Vegas, which enables players around the world to experience authentic Las Vegas casino gameplay from the comfort of their own homes. The service is generating new jobs, expanding revenue streams, and drawing international interest.
Key Takeaways
- MGM Resorts' Live from Vegas lets international players join live-dealt casino games streamed directly from Las Vegas.
- The platform employs 90 specially trained dealers and integrates the company's Game Sense responsible gaming program.
- Although unavailable in the U.S. due to regulatory limits, MGM hopes to expand once restrictions ease.
Vik Shrestha, VP of Online Gaming at MGM Resorts, said the platform allows thousands of users from countries such as the U.K., Brazil, Mexico, and Canada to participate simultaneously in games like blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and a betting version of Family Feud.
The platform's format includes live presenters who interact with players, while guests at the MGM Grand can be seen walking behind the dealers, adding to the immersive experience.
To maintain 24-hour operations, MGM trained 90 dealers over three to six weeks for the new platform. Shrestha explained that dealers operate under stage names for privacy and are trained in responsible gaming practices through the company's Game Sense program.
Although U.S. regulations currently prohibit the product domestically, MGM hopes those restrictions will ease in the future.
Las Vegas Sands ends online gaming project
While MGM deepens its digital gaming investment, Las Vegas Sands is exiting the space altogether. The company is winding down its Sands Digital Services (SDS) division, impacting up to 400 global employees, including 150 in Las Vegas.
According to a memo from President and COO Patrick Dumont, the move followed a board-led review that determined digital gaming no longer aligned with the company's long-term strategy.
SDS was established in 2021 to explore live-streamed casino products for regulated online markets such as New Jersey and Michigan. However, the platform never reached full commercial rollout.
Dumont said the company will now refocus on strengthening its Macao and Singapore properties, which remain its primary growth engines. Sands' decision follows its earlier sale of The Venetian and Palazzo on the Strip, which freed capital for overseas expansion and technology investments.
Locals voice concerns over Las Vegas affordability
Amidst the fluctuating digital strategies, local opinions about Las Vegas tourism become increasingly polarized. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority said that its Fabulous Five Day Sale almost quadrupled web traffic to VisitLasVegas.com. However, locals still feel more priced out of the hospitality and entertainment provided along the Strip.
Gaming analyst Howard Stutz noted that locals are visiting area casinos, which offer free parking and affordable rates. He remarked that growing expenses for meals as well as accommodations are deterring locals as well as repeat tourists.
Stutz said Strip operators may need to reconsider pricing strategies to maintain appeal for residents while sustaining the city's annual tourism figures, which hover around 43 million visitors.
