MGM RESORTS & BETMGM TO INCREASE RESPONSIBLE GAMING MESSAGING AT NFL STADIUMS DURING UPCOMING SEASON

Rhea-AI Summary

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and BetMGM are expanding their responsible gaming initiatives for the 2024 NFL season. They will increase GameSense® messaging at nine NFL stadiums, promoting responsible gambling practices. BetMGM plans to release new advertisements featuring brand ambassadors to highlight responsible gaming resources.

MGM Resorts is contributing $440,000 to fund responsible gaming research through partnerships with the International Center for Responsible Gaming and Kindbridge Research Institute. The company has also certified over 500 employees in its GameSense Advisor Program. Both companies will continue to partner with the American Gaming Association's Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ campaign to educate bettors on responsible sports wagering.

Positive

• Expansion of responsible gaming messaging at 9 NFL stadiums, potentially reaching a wider audience
• $440,000 contribution to fund responsible gaming research
• Certification of over 500 employees in the GameSense Advisor Program
• Development of new responsible gaming advertisements featuring brand ambassadors
• Implementation of improved responsible gaming tools within BetMGM's platform

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

MGM Resorts and BetMGM's expanded responsible gaming initiatives demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing potential risks in the growing sports betting market. By increasing GameSense messaging in NFL stadiums and developing new responsible gaming advertisements, they're positioning themselves as industry leaders in player protection. This move could enhance brand reputation and customer trust, potentially leading to increased market share in the competitive sports betting landscape.

The $440,000 investment in responsible gaming research shows a commitment to evidence-based practices, which could lead to improved risk management and reduced regulatory scrutiny in the long term. While these initiatives may have a short-term cost, they're likely to strengthen the company's position in an industry facing increasing regulatory attention.

Financial Analyst

The expansion of responsible gaming initiatives, while not directly impacting immediate revenue, represents a strategic long-term investment for MGM Resorts and BetMGM. By prioritizing player protection, they're mitigating potential regulatory risks and building a sustainable business model in the rapidly growing sports betting market.

The $440,000 research funding, while a relatively small amount for a company of MGM's size, signals a commitment to industry best practices. This could lead to reduced liability costs and improved operational efficiency in the long run. The expanded partnerships and increased visibility in NFL stadiums also present potential for market expansion and increased brand loyalty, which could translate to revenue growth over time.

Legal Expert

MGM Resorts and BetMGM's proactive approach to responsible gaming aligns well with the evolving regulatory landscape in the sports betting industry. By expanding their GameSense program and investing in research, they're positioning themselves favorably with regulators and potentially mitigating future legal risks.

The increased presence in NFL stadiums and partnership with the American Gaming Association demonstrate a commitment to industry-wide standards. This could provide a competitive advantage as regulations tighten and could reduce the likelihood of costly legal challenges or regulatory fines. The focus on educating both employees and customers about responsible gaming practices also creates a stronger legal defense against potential lawsuits related to problem gambling.

Companies also announce expansion of partnerships promoting responsible gaming & consumer education   

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) ("MGM Resorts" or the "Company") and BetMGM announced today that they are once again partnering with the American Gaming Association (AGA) to promote Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM 2024) in September. The two companies will execute their responsible gaming campaign at designated National Football League (NFL) stadiums for the second year, with increased exposure for GameSense®, GameSense is an industry-leading responsible gaming program first developed and licensed to MGM Resorts in 2017 by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC). The program focuses on positive, transparent, and proactive engagements with guests and customers about how to gamble responsibly. With this development, GameSense marketing will appear more often and in more prominent venue locations during each game.

GameSense messaging will be promoted at the following stadiums:

• Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)
• Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos)
• Ford Field (Detroit Lions)
• GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs)
• M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)
• MetLife Stadium (New York Jets)
• Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans)
• State Farm Stadium (Arizona Cardinals)

In 2023, MGM Resorts and BetMGM were among the first gaming operators to promote responsible gaming through marketing within League stadiums.

"We're excited to bring responsible gaming initiatives directly to fans in these NFL venues again this season," said Rhea Loney, Chief Compliance Officer, BetMGM. "We are setting a new standard for safety and awareness in the industry. At BetMGM, we believe that protecting our players and promoting responsible play is essential to the future of sports betting."

BetMGM will also add to its catalogue of advertisements in the coming months that highlight its comprehensive responsible gaming resources. The spots will feature brand ambassadors sharing engaging messaging, similar to its highly regarded responsible gaming commercial featuring NHL MVP Connor McDavid.

Also, coinciding with RGEM 2024, MGM Resorts is announcing a $440,000 contribution to fund responsible gaming research through the International Center for Responsible Gaming and Kindbridge Research Institute. These studies aim to advance industry best practices and fill significant research gaps on under-studied populations, including women military Veterans.

Stephen Martino, SVP and Chief Compliance Officer, MGM Resorts, said, "The importance of responsible gaming research funding cannot be overstated. As a gaming industry leader, it's imperative that our company supports efforts to better understand the diverse impact gambling has on various populations, including those that may be at greater risk of developing problematic behaviors."

Throughout RGEM 2024, MGM Resorts and BetMGM will continue to conduct extensive training to raise employee awareness of responsible gaming. Recently, MGM Resorts' GameSense Advisor Program certified more than 500 customer-facing employees, equipping them with the skills and confidence to educate customers about casino games and empower them to make informed decisions. BetMGM will also deploy extensive employee training, including additional education for its VIP Staff, while advancing responsible gaming through lived experiences with its EPIC Global Solutions partnership.

Additionally in September, new GameSense messaging will be displayed prominently on table games throughout MGM Resorts' properties nationwide. Similar messaging will continue to be featured on all slot machines, 8,000 of which include QR codes offering access to responsible gaming information and educational materials from GameSense. Responsible gaming tips will also appear on MGM Resorts' Las Vegas marquees and on more than 35,000 screens across the company's portfolio. BetMGM will release improved responsible gaming tools within its platform as well. These tools are designed to help players manage their budgets, stay within their limits, and promote a responsible and sustainable entertainment experience.

MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue their partnership with the AGA's Have A Game Plan. ® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign to educate new and seasoned bettors on responsible sports wagering. The campaign aims to protect customers and reinforces the use of regulated markets, which prioritizes player protection and safeguards.

Joe Maloney, SVP Strategic Communications, American Gaming Association, said, "Collaboration is integral to strengthening our collective responsibility efforts. Both in their work with the AGA and throughout the legal, regulated gaming industry, MGM Resorts and BetMGM continue to be leaders in forming innovative partnerships that are advancing responsible gaming in meaningful ways."

For more information, follow @BetMGM and @mgmresorts on X.

ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500^® global gaming and entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company's 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers sports betting and online gaming in North America through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company's subsidiary, LV Lion Holding Limited, offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its "Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet" philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on X as well as Facebook and Instagram.

About BetMGM 
BetMGM is a market-leading sports betting and gaming entertainment company, pioneering the online gaming industry. Born out of a partnership between MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Entain Plc (LSE: ENT), BetMGM has exclusive access to all of MGM's U.S. land-based and online sports betting, major tournament poker, and online gaming businesses. Utilizing Entain's U.S.-licensed, state-of-the-art technology, BetMGM offers sports betting and online gaming via market-leading brands including BetMGM, Borgata Casino, Party Casino and Party Poker. Founded in 2018, BetMGM is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit http://www.betmgminc.com/.

About British Columbia Lottery Corporation
BCLC is a social purpose company based in British Columbia, Canada that is committed to delivering win-wins for the greater good while providing lottery, casino and sports gambling entertainment in a way that serves the best interests of its players, the province and society. Last year, BCLC generated more than $1.3 billion in net income to benefit provincial and community programs, including healthcare, education and charities across British Columbia, Canada.

About the AGA 
As the national trade group representing the U.S. casino industry, the American Gaming Association (AGA) fosters a policy and business environment where legal, regulated gaming thrives. The AGA's diverse membership of commercial and tribal casino operators, sports betting and iGaming companies, gaming suppliers, and more lead the $261 billion industry and support 1.8 million jobs across the country.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and involve risks and/or uncertainties, including those described in MGM Resorts' public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "could," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "likely," "intends," "plans," "pro forma," "projects," "estimates" or "anticipates" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases that are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and that do not relate solely to historical matters. MGM Resorts and BetMGM have based forward-looking statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, MGM Resorts' and BetMGM's expectations regarding launch of the GameSense program at the referenced stadiums, display of GameSense messaging across table games and slot machines, and additional funding and training initiatives related to responsible gaming. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include risks related to the effects of economic conditions and market conditions in the markets in which MGM Resorts and BetMGM operate and competition with other destination travel locations throughout the United States and the world, the design, timing and costs of expansion projects, risks relating to international operations, permits, licenses, financings, approvals and other contingencies in connection with growth in new or existing jurisdictions and additional risks and uncertainties described in MGM Resorts' Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those reports). In providing forward-looking statements, neither MGM Resorts nor BetMGM is undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements publicly as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If MGM Resorts or BetMGM update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those other forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS
MGM Resorts
Marc Jacobson
media@mgmresorts.com

BetMGM
Jennifer Arapoff
press@betmgm.com

BCLC 
mediarelations@bclc.com 

AGA
press@americangaming.org 

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SOURCE MGM Resorts

FAQ

What is MGM Resorts and BetMGM's plan for responsible gaming during the 2024 NFL season?

MGM Resorts and BetMGM are expanding their responsible gaming initiatives by increasing GameSense® messaging at nine NFL stadiums during the 2024 season, promoting responsible gambling practices to a wider audience.

How much is MGM Resorts contributing to responsible gaming research in 2024?

MGM Resorts is contributing $440,000 to fund responsible gaming research through partnerships with the International Center for Responsible Gaming and Kindbridge Research Institute.

What new responsible gaming tools is BetMGM implementing in 2024?

BetMGM is releasing improved responsible gaming tools within its platform designed to help players manage their budgets, stay within limits, and promote a responsible and sustainable entertainment experience.

How many employees has MGM Resorts certified in its GameSense Advisor Program?

MGM Resorts has certified more than 500 customer-facing employees in its GameSense Advisor Program, equipping them with skills to educate customers about casino games and responsible decision-making.