Playtech and MGM Resorts Bring Las Vegas Excitement to the Online World with MGM Live
Playtech and MGM Resorts International have partnered to bring the thrill of Las Vegas to online players worldwide. During a press event at the SBC Summit last month, the two companies unveiled MGM Live, a new series of live casino games streamed directly from MGM’s iconic Las Vegas properties.
Christian Stuart, SVP and Head of Interactive at MGM Resorts International, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We’ve been exploring the live dealer space for a while, recognizing that it accounts for 20-30% of operator revenue. With our roots firmly in Las Vegas, we knew this was our defining edge,” Stuart said. “MGM’s assets have always been something people traveled to experience in person, but now, we’re thrilled to bring that same excitement online.”
This new venture allows players to engage with the atmosphere of MGM properties from home. “Working with Playtech enables us to extend our reach, giving customers the feeling of being in Vegas every night,” Stuart added.
Playtech has developed live casino games within two of MGM’s flagship properties, the Bellagio and MGM Grand. Shimon Akad, Playtech’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the significance of this partnership. “MGM is an iconic name in the gambling world, and we are honored to be their trusted technology partner. Las Vegas is recognized globally as the epicenter of gaming, and we’re delivering that magic directly to players’ screens,” Akad said.
Akad described the collaboration as a groundbreaking initiative: “For many, Las Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Now, through MGM Live, we’re giving players that land-based experience virtually. This is something the industry hasn’t seen before.”
When asked about the challenges of replicating the Vegas atmosphere online, Stuart noted the shared belief that Vegas is more than just a location—it’s a global brand. “Vegas has universal appeal, and we knew it would resonate across all markets without the need for heavy localization,” Stuart explained.
Akad echoed this, saying, “Everyone who experiences Vegas falls in love with it. Our goal is to translate that experience into the online space, capturing the essence of iconic spots like the Bellagio fountains and the MGM Grand.”
Stuart also emphasized the importance of responsible gaming and regulatory compliance. “We operate only in regulated markets and take our licensing obligations seriously. Ensuring our operations meet the highest standards has been a significant effort, but it’s essential for bringing MGM Live to market responsibly,” he said.
Akad noted that operators from various jurisdictions have expressed strong interest in offering MGM Live. “We’ve seen a surge in inquiries from licensees eager to provide this stay-at-home Vegas experience. We’re committed to launching wherever regulations permit, ensuring a responsible rollout,” Akad added.
When asked about the appeal of MGM Live to younger audiences and those unfamiliar with Vegas, Stuart shared promising insights from early markets like the UK and Mexico. “We’ve seen players in the UK engage deeply with live tables streamed from Vegas. It adds a social element—players love sharing their wins, saying they hit it big at the Bellagio,” he explained. “Our goal is to build on that by introducing celebrity hosts and other features to broaden the appeal.”
As for future expansion in the U.S., Stuart acknowledged regulatory limitations. “Currently, content can only be streamed from studios located in the state where they were built, but we’re hopeful that regulations might evolve,” he said.
Akad concluded by highlighting the partnership’s forward-thinking approach. “We expect others in the industry to follow our lead, but we intend to stay ahead with first-to-market innovations,” he said confidently.
With MGM Live, Playtech and MGM Resorts are not just offering games—they’re delivering an authentic Vegas experience directly into players’ homes, blending the best of land-based and online gaming.
Source: https://casinobeats.com/2024/10/04/playtech-mgm-vegas-live-casino/
Playtech and MGM Resorts International have partnered to bring the thrill of Las Vegas to online players worldwide. During a press event at the SBC Summit last month, the two companies unveiled MGM Live, a new series of live casino games streamed directly from MGM’s iconic Las Vegas properties.
Christian Stuart, SVP and Head of Interactive at MGM Resorts International, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We’ve been exploring the live dealer space for a while, recognizing that it accounts for 20-30% of operator revenue. With our roots firmly in Las Vegas, we knew this was our defining edge,” Stuart said. “MGM’s assets have always been something people traveled to experience in person, but now, we’re thrilled to bring that same excitement online.”
This new venture allows players to engage with the atmosphere of MGM properties from home. “Working with Playtech enables us to extend our reach, giving customers the feeling of being in Vegas every night,” Stuart added.
Playtech has developed live casino games within two of MGM’s flagship properties, the Bellagio and MGM Grand. Shimon Akad, Playtech’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the significance of this partnership. “MGM is an iconic name in the gambling world, and we are honored to be their trusted technology partner. Las Vegas is recognized globally as the epicenter of gaming, and we’re delivering that magic directly to players’ screens,” Akad said.
Akad described the collaboration as a groundbreaking initiative: “For many, Las Vegas is a once-in-a-lifetime destination. Now, through MGM Live, we’re giving players that land-based experience virtually. This is something the industry hasn’t seen before.”
When asked about the challenges of replicating the Vegas atmosphere online, Stuart noted the shared belief that Vegas is more than just a location—it’s a global brand. “Vegas has universal appeal, and we knew it would resonate across all markets without the need for heavy localization,” Stuart explained.
Akad echoed this, saying, “Everyone who experiences Vegas falls in love with it. Our goal is to translate that experience into the online space, capturing the essence of iconic spots like the Bellagio fountains and the MGM Grand.”
Stuart also emphasized the importance of responsible gaming and regulatory compliance. “We operate only in regulated markets and take our licensing obligations seriously. Ensuring our operations meet the highest standards has been a significant effort, but it’s essential for bringing MGM Live to market responsibly,” he said.
Akad noted that operators from various jurisdictions have expressed strong interest in offering MGM Live. “We’ve seen a surge in inquiries from licensees eager to provide this stay-at-home Vegas experience. We’re committed to launching wherever regulations permit, ensuring a responsible rollout,” Akad added.
When asked about the appeal of MGM Live to younger audiences and those unfamiliar with Vegas, Stuart shared promising insights from early markets like the UK and Mexico. “We’ve seen players in the UK engage deeply with live tables streamed from Vegas. It adds a social element—players love sharing their wins, saying they hit it big at the Bellagio,” he explained. “Our goal is to build on that by introducing celebrity hosts and other features to broaden the appeal.”
As for future expansion in the U.S., Stuart acknowledged regulatory limitations. “Currently, content can only be streamed from studios located in the state where they were built, but we’re hopeful that regulations might evolve,” he said.
Akad concluded by highlighting the partnership’s forward-thinking approach. “We expect others in the industry to follow our lead, but we intend to stay ahead with first-to-market innovations,” he said confidently.
With MGM Live, Playtech and MGM Resorts are not just offering games—they’re delivering an authentic Vegas experience directly into players’ homes, blending the best of land-based and online gaming.
Source: https://casinobeats.com/2024/10/04/playtech-mgm-vegas-live-casino/
