MGM and Playtech Partner to Bring Vegas Casino Action to Global Players

In an exciting development for the online casino industry, MGM Resorts International and Playtech have teamed up to deliver a taste of Las Vegas directly to players’ homes. During a recent press conference at the SBC Summit, the two companies announced the launch of MGM Live—a collection of live casino games streamed straight from MGM’s renowned Las Vegas locations.

Christian Stuart, Senior Vice President and Head of Interactive at MGM Resorts, opened the discussion by expressing enthusiasm about the collaboration. He emphasized the partnership’s aim to provide a “heightened” version of the Vegas experience to all regulated markets. “We’ve been exploring the live dealer space for quite a while,” Stuart noted. “It’s a massive industry, making up 20-30% of operator revenue. Our goal was to figure out how MGM could make a significant impact, and what better way than with Las Vegas? It’s our home base, after all.”

MGM has long been synonymous with the Vegas experience, with iconic properties like Bellagio and MGM Grand drawing visitors from across the globe. Stuart pointed out that until now, these experiences have been available only in person, requiring players to travel to Las Vegas. “What we’re doing with Playtech,” Stuart explained, “is bringing that excitement to a global audience. Now, players can enjoy the thrill of Las Vegas from anywhere in the world.”

Thanks to this partnership, Playtech has created live casino games broadcast from two of MGM’s most famous resorts on the Vegas Strip—Bellagio and MGM Grand. These games make use of MGM’s distinctive Vegas assets, immersing players in an authentic casino atmosphere.

Shimon Akad, Chief Commercial Officer at Playtech, echoed Stuart’s excitement and highlighted the importance of working with such a prestigious partner. “We take a lot of pride in the fact that MGM Resorts, an iconic name in the casino world, has chosen us as their technology partner. Together, we’re doing something that the industry has never seen before.”

Akad emphasized that Las Vegas is universally recognized as the gambling capital of the world. “For many players, Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime trip. It’s a place everyone dreams of visiting. By partnering with MGM, we’re able to bring some of that Vegas magic directly to players’ homes,” Akad added.

Both Stuart and Akad were asked about the challenges they faced in creating an online version of the Vegas experience. Stuart acknowledged that transforming such a unique, in-person experience into an online product was no small task but stressed that they shared a unified vision. “With Playtech, we agreed that Las Vegas is a global brand. It cuts through markets, and we believe this product will resonate with players everywhere,” Stuart said.

Akad further pointed out that many players have fond memories of their visits to MGM Grand or Bellagio, and that translating those memories into an online format is what makes this collaboration so special. “The goal is to deliver that land-based, once-in-a-lifetime experience online. There’s a lot of effort that goes into making it feel as real as possible, and it’s something players have been waiting for.”

On the topic of regulation, Stuart emphasized that MGM Live would adhere strictly to the rules in any jurisdictions they enter. “We’re committed to working within regulated environments. MGM holds licenses in all the jurisdictions we operate in, and we take that responsibility seriously,” he explained. He noted that acquiring the necessary certifications has taken time, but that the team is now confident in bringing the product to market in a responsible manner.

Akad added that they have already seen significant interest from operators across many jurisdictions, eager to offer the MGM Live experience to their players. “When we first announced the partnership, we had many licensees reaching out, wanting to know when they could bring this live-dealer content to their players,” Akad said. He reiterated that the product will be available in any regulated market, adding, “This will appeal to both current and new gamers.”

When asked about the appeal to younger audiences or those unfamiliar with Vegas, Stuart expressed confidence in MGM Live’s broad appeal. The product has already launched in markets such as the UK and Mexico, where Stuart noted that players have been excited to share stories of playing at a live table streamed from Las Vegas. “There’s a social element to this, too. Players can tell their friends about their big wins in Vegas, even if they’ve never set foot in the city,” he said.

The partnership has plans to expand the MGM Live offering with more interactive features, including live celebrity appearances, which Stuart believes will draw in an even broader audience. “This is just the beginning,” he teased.

As for expansion into the U.S., Stuart acknowledged that there are regulatory hurdles to overcome. “Right now, content can only be streamed from studios located within the state where it was built, but we’re hopeful that might change in the future,” he said.

Akad closed the press conference by reaffirming the partnership’s commitment to staying ahead of the competition. “We expect others to follow, but we plan to stay one step ahead.”

Source:

”Playtech and MGM offer insight into new MGM Live project”, sbcamericas.com, October 11, 2024.