Industry News
MGM Resorts Plans to Expand its Online Operations Globally
MGM Resorts has outlined plans to expand its online gaming channels globally.
Speaking at the Bank of America Securities 2021 Gaming and Lodging Conference last Friday, MGM’s Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Halkyard said the company was actively steering itself towards an asset-light model that would see it focus primarily on gaming operations rather than ownership, while continuing expansion of its online gaming business BetMGM.
However, it is likely that this expansion will eventually continue overseas given the absence of substantial new land-based resort opportunities and MGM’s reluctance, outside of Macau and Japan, to invest in such resources.
MGM Resorts holds a controlling stake in MGM China, operator of MGM Macau and MGM Cotai, and is leading a consortium looking to develop an IR in Osaka, Japan.
“When I think about what this company needs to be, definitely the best-known brand, most trusted brand in gaming,” Halkyard said.
“Casual, high-end and hopefully in as many distribution points with the highest availability in this country.
“Then to the extent that it is regulated, online offerings internationally.
“Realistically the opportunity for integrated resorts is not going to be in a wide number of jurisdictions and the capital cost can be pretty extreme but in our spots – Macau and Japan – we would expect to be a player there. So the best brands, [most] trusted brands available anywhere and premier in gaming.”
Halkyard paid particular attention during his appearance at the Bank of America conference to the long-term prospects of the company’s online gaming entity BetMGM, a joint venture partnership with Entain PLC.
MGM is looking to implement an omni-channel strategy for BetMGM by which online customers globally would become members of MGM’s M life Rewards programme and, therefore, receive points and rewards for their online play.
Halkyard said the company would continue to simplify its business model in the coming years.
“MGM has in the past flirted with non-gaming instances of its brand and we have over the past six months, Bill (Hornbuckle, CEO) and I and some of the management team, been unwinding and shutting some of those investments,” he said.
“They’re all small but they take financial resources and management resources, so we’re getting out of those.
“We’ve been through the CityCenter [sale], the MGP (MGM Growth Properties LLC) deal, so less financial engineering and more simplified and clear about what we are, which is an OpCo.”
Industry News
Mohegan Appoints Joseph J. Hasson as Interim COO
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, known globally for its renowned integrated entertainment resorts, has appointed Joseph J. Hasson as interim Chief Operating Officer. Jody Madigan, the current COO, has resigned effective August 1, 2024, and will be taking a leave of absence pending his departure.
Joseph J. Hasson will serve as interim COO and retain his current role as General Manager of Mohegan Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, subject to necessary regulatory filings or approvals. Mr. Hasson was an obvious choice for the Management Board, given his prior experience as the former Chief Operating Officer of Station Casinos LLC and Red Rock Resorts Inc. Joe brings considerable expertise to the executive team with a consistent track record of operating excellence and success over more than 40 years’ experience in the gaming and hospitality industry. Mr. Hasson will report to Ray Pineault, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan.
“Joseph J. Hasson’s deep understanding of the gaming and hospitality industry makes him exceptionally qualified to maintain our high service and operational excellence standards. We are confident that Joe’s extensive experience and proven leadership will ensure continuity in our operations and guest experience,” Ray Pineault, President and CEO of Mohegan, said.
Industry News
Jennifer Shatley Joins ROGA as Executive Director
Jennifer Shatley, a recognized expert in the field and a highly sought speaker and advisor, has joined the Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) as Executive Director.
Shatley has had 25+ years worth of experience, working closely with the treatment community, academics, researchers, government bodies, state councils, and gaming industry representatives to promote responsible gaming.
“Many of America’s largest legal mobile gaming operators will be establishing a framework that helps to aid in responsible gaming education and awareness. By coming together with a clear set of objectives, ROGA and our members will work to enhance consumer protections and help provide easier and more efficient access to responsible gaming tools for consumers to enjoy the entertainment of online gaming,” Shatley said.
Industry News
IDnow Bridges the AI-human Divide with New Expert-led Video Verification Solution
IDnow, a leading identity verification provider in Europe, has unveiled VideoIdent Flex, a new version of its expert-led video verification service that blends advanced AI technology with human interaction. The human-based video call solution, supported by AI, has been designed and built to boost customer conversion rates, reduce rising fraud attempts, increase inclusivity, and tackle an array of complex online verification scenarios, while offering a high-end service experience to end customers.
The company’s original expert-led product, VideoIdent, has been a cornerstone in identity verification for over a decade, serving the strictest requirements in highly regulated industries across Europe. VideoIdent Flex, re-engineered specifically for the UK market, represents a significant evolution, addressing the growing challenges of identity fraud, compliance related to Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes and ensuring fair access and inclusivity in today’s digital world outside of fully automated processes.
As remote identity verification becomes more crucial yet more challenging, VideoIdent Flex combines high-quality live video identity verification with hundreds of trained verification experts, thus ensuring that genuine customers gain equal access to digital services while effectively deterring fraudsters and money mules. Unlike fully automated solutions based on document liveness and biometric liveness features, this human-machine collaboration not only boosts onboarding rates and prevents fraud but also strengthens trust and confidence in both end users and organisations. VideoIdent Flex can also serve as a fallback service in case a fully automated solution fails.
Bertrand Bouteloup, Chief Commercial Officer at IDnow, said: “VideoIdent Flex marks a groundbreaking advancement in identity verification, merging AI-based technology with human intuition. In a landscape of evolving fraud tactics and steady UK bank branch closures, our solution draws on our decade’s worth of video verification experience and fraud insights, empowering UK businesses to maintain a competitive edge by offering a white glove service for VIP onboarding. With its unique combination of KYC-compliant identity verification, real-time fraud prevention solutions, and expert support, VideoIdent Flex is a powerful tool for the UK market.”
Whereas previously firms may have found video identification solutions to be excessive for their compliance requirement or out of reach due to costs, VideoIdent Flex opens up this option by customising checks as required by the respective regulatory bodies in financial services, mobility, telecommunications or gaming, to offer a streamlined solution fit for every industry and geography.
Bouteloup added: “Identity verification is incredibly nuanced; it’s as intricate as we are as human beings. This really compounds the importance of adopting a hybrid approach to identity – capitalising on the dual benefits of advanced technology when combined with human knowledge and awareness of social cues. With bank branches in the UK closing down, especially in the countryside, and interactions becoming more and more digital, our solution offers a means to maintain a human relationship between businesses and their end customers, no matter their age, disability or neurodiversity.
“VideoIdent Flex is designed from the ground up for organisations that cannot depend on a one-size-fits-all approach to ensuring their customers are who they say they are. In a world where fraud is consistently increasing, our video capability paired with our experts adds a powerful layer of security, especially for those businesses and customers that require a face-to-face interaction.”
The post IDnow Bridges the AI-human Divide with New Expert-led Video Verification Solution appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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