Live from Vegas Inside MGM’s groundbreaking Live Casino studio
Vik Shrestha, Vice President of Online Gaming at MGM Resorts International, takes G3 inside the “Live from Vegas” studio at MGM Grand, where MGM, Playtech and Fremantle are blending live casino, game show entertainment, and Las Vegas spectacle into a single experience.
What are the main differences between running a live dealer setup on the casino floor and doing it in a traditional studio environment?
It’s a huge difference. Operating inside a Las Vegas casino has stricter regulatory requirements. We work closely with the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), who’ve been great to work with, to ensure full compliance.
Everyone involved in the studio, including presenters, support teams, and managers must be registered as gaming employees with NGCB. Being held to a higher level of compliance adds complexity and value. It enhances game integrity and player comfort. It’s more challenging, but it’s part of what makes our operation truly “Vegas.”
How has player response been since the “Live from Vegas” launch and the addition of Family Feud?
We initially launched with dual-play tables at MGM Grand and Bellagio, streaming games directly from the casino floor to regulated markets in July 2024. Tat gave us strong early data about player demographics and market adoption.
We saw great participation right away with consistent growth in handle every month. Te growth has been steady. We expect that to continue as awareness builds and operators promote the product further.
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What sparked the idea of broadcasting directly from the MGM Grand casino floor?
Te whole concept has been about bringing the excitement of Las Vegas to the world. MGM Grand is an iconic property that people can picture in their heads from seeing it in movies even if they have never been here in person. We started noticing player comments like, “Wow, this is really live in Las Vegas.” Tat reaction made us think, what if we took the concept further. Many of our project initiatives are all about blending online and on-property experiences based on player and operator feedback.
What does MGM Resorts bring to the live casino segment that sets it apart?
MGM Resorts brings the scale and operational expertise from running major casino operations every day. We also have a culture focused on the guest and player experience, which includes responsibility. We encourage our game presenters to focus on individuality and personality to bring a sense of character to their performance. We get constant feedback such as, “We love this dealer.” Te connection is a big reason the experience feels different and engaging.
Tell us about the people fronting the games. Are they traditional dealers or more like entertainers?
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