MGM Resorts International has unveiled a new live dealer studio at its MGM Grand casino in Las Vegas, developed in partnership with online gaming supplier Playtech. The facility, called MGM Live, is awaiting regulatory approval before it can begin offering its services to international gamblers.
The studio will livestream traditional casino games exclusively to select international markets, as Nevada regulations currently prohibit such services from targeting U.S. players. According to company statements, MGM expects the operation to launch in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory clearance.
"Pending regulatory approval, we are currently working to introduce the next phase of our live dealer product with plans to livestream new gaming experiences from our studio space located on MGM Grand's casino floor in Las Vegas," MGM Resorts said in a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
A distinctive feature of the new studio is a Family Feud-branded game area, although specific details about how this will be integrated into the gaming experience have not been disclosed. BetMGM began offering "Family Feud" and "The Price is Right" games in its online casinos in January following a partnership with Fremantle, the producer of these popular game shows.
The studio's location on the casino floor creates a hybrid experience where in-person guests can observe the action, particularly from the adjacent Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, bridging the gap between traditional and online gaming environments.
This initiative expands on last year's successful launch of a dual-cast service by MGM Resorts and Playtech that enabled players to bet both in-person and online on live roulette and baccarat tables at Bellagio and MGM Grand. However, like the new studio, access to these games remains limited to international online players.
Christian Stuart, Senior Vice President and Head of Interactive at MGM Resorts, previously noted that the live dealer market represents approximately 20-30% of operator revenue, making it a strategic area for expansion.
A similar approach has been implemented in New Jersey, where BetMGM online casino users can wager at live roulette tables within the Borgata hotel-casino in Atlantic City. Live dealer casino games have gained significant popularity in U.S. jurisdictions where online gambling is permitted, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
As MGM awaits regulatory approval for this latest venture, the MGM Live studio represents the company's ongoing efforts to leverage its iconic Las Vegas properties for the growing international online gaming market.