MGM Resorts launches invite-only Fountain Club rewards program | Casinos & Gaming

The Strip’s largest on line casino operator is rolling out the purple carpet for a few of its non-gambling massive spenders.

The Fountain Club by MGM is an invite-only rewards program designed for “high-value, non-gaming guests,” in line with an MGM Resorts International spokesperson. The Fountian Club by MGM program consists of perks equivalent to personalised concierge service, unique occasion invites, precedence reservations throughout MGM properties, premium ticket entry, luxury-suite reserving privileges, complimentary airport transfers and VIP check-in.

Selected friends had been contacted late final yr and just lately acquired Fountain Club by MGM rewards playing cards in a gold-trimmed present field. Additional invitations could possibly be despatched this yr to qualifying friends, the corporate stated.

MGM declined to specify what number of friends are enrolled within the Fountain Club program.

The program continues to be in a “soft launch” part however “the early response so far has been incredibly positive from our guests,” the spokesperson stated.

The metropolis’s embrace of large-scale, non-gaming occasions, such because the Super Bowl and Formula One Grand Prix, has broadened its attraction to a non-gambling demographic. The impression of these occasions has been helpful for Strip properties, together with these operated by Las Vegas-based MGM, which oversees 9 casinos and 4 non-gaming accommodations alongside the resort hall.

“The development of the Fountain Club reflects a long-standing trend we’ve seen among Las Vegas visitors who are increasingly drawn to non-gaming experiences from luxury accommodations and dining to entertainment and events,” stated Joey Wattoo, chief advertising officer for MGM. “The program underscores our ongoing commitment to recognizing and rewarding these valuable guests by unlocking elevated access to exclusive amenities and experiences.”

Risk-Taking convention

UNLV is looking for displays for May’s International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking, a gathering of teachers, researchers and consultants from all fields at Bellagio discussing the nuances of playing.

The May 26-28 occasion, held as soon as each three years, brings collectively thinkers and theorists to debate all facets of playing and risk-taking.

The deadline for abstracts is Jan. 23 and potential presenters will probably be notified in February.

In 1974, a founding determine within the playing discipline, Dr. Bill Eadington, gathered a small group of thinkers to discover the ignored matter of playing and risk-taking. In the 50-plus years since, the convention has grown into the world’s largest multidisciplinary gathering of playing students and practitioners. More than 550 attendees from over 30 nations attended the nineteenth version and in 2026, UNLV hopes to welcome much more.

Abstracts are invited on any matter associated to playing and the industrial gaming business, together with the economics of playing, enterprise impacts and analyses, social and group impacts, the historical past of playing , criminology and unlawful playing, downside or disordered playing, arithmetic of playing, AI and machine studying, sports activities and playing, prediction markets, esports betting, funds, cryptocurrency and cash and accountable playing.

Paper displays needs to be of roughly 20 minutes, together with Q&A time and educational or utilized in nature. Poster displays are perfect for works in progress and assist of extra casual interactive dialogue.

Maine legalizes on-line casinos

Maine is ready to change into the eighth state with authorized on-line casinos after Gov. Janet Mills allowed a tribal-exclusive iGaming invoice to take impact with out her signature. The legislation, LD 1164, grants the state’s 4 Wabanaki tribes unique rights to function on-line casinos at an 18 % tax price.

It takes impact three months after the Legislature adjourns on April 15.

Mills stated she nonetheless has considerations about playing’s public-health impression however believes regulation is preferable to an unregulated market. She additionally famous that the brand new income stream is meant to assist the Wabanaki Nations, echoing her stance when she legalized sports activities betting in 2022.

The tribes have already got unique management of Maine’s on-line sports activities betting market, the place three companion with Caesars and one with DraftKings. State analysts venture iGaming might generate as much as $100 million in tax income over its first decade.

The Maine Gambling Control Board, nevertheless, urged Mills to veto the invoice, warning that excluding the state’s two industrial casinos might price jobs and cut back tax income.

Opposition can also be forming outdoors the statehouse. The National Association Against iGaming — which incorporates Churchill Downs, a Maine on line casino operator — has threatened a “people’s veto,” a referendum effort that might overturn the legislation if sufficient signatures are gathered for the 2026 poll.

Maine’s transfer comes as on-line on line casino growth has slowed nationally, although price range pressures might push extra states to take one other look in 2026. Lawmakers in Virginia and Indiana are already signaling renewed curiosity in iGaming.

Contact David Danzis at [email protected] or 702-383-0378. Follow @AC2Vegas_Danzis on X.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at [email protected] or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on X.