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MGM
Live
MGM
News
Movie
And Entertainment News
Casino
And Gambling Themes Remain Popular For Producers,
Production Companies et al
Past,
Present And Future
Media
Man Watercooler
May
2026
News
MGM
Vegas
Heyman
Hustle/Paul Heyman - Live At MGM
Heyman’s
involvement ties into his Looking4Larry Agency’s
creative work and a broader MGM Studios partnership.
MGM
Live is the new entertainment/content brand for MGM
Resorts International’s Las Vegas properties.
It launched on Instagram with a debut reel featuring
Paul Heyman and UFC President Dana White together
at an EZ Baccarat table at the Live at Park MGM venue
on the Las Vegas.
This
marks a notable crossover, as UFC and WWE are both
under TKO Group Holdings. Park MGM has hosted WWE
events (like the 2026 Hall of Fame) and UFC PPVs.
Heyman
shot disruptive/late-night content there during WrestleMania
week, including:His TikTok debut from Park MGM (talking
about Brock Lesnar, WrestleMania, etc.).
"Heyman
on Heyman" interview with his son Jacob for HeymanHustleTV.
Multiple Instagram/TikTok reels embracing his "King
of New York (and everywhere else)" persona while
promoting MGM.
More
Intel ...
UFC
President Dana White and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman
appeared together in an Instagram reel posted by MGM
Live, the entertainment brand for MGM Resorts International’s
Las Vegas properties.
The
video, posted to the new mgmlive Instagram account,
was filmed at the Live At Park MGM venue on the Las
Vegas Strip and shows White and Heyman seated at an
EZ Baccarat table together.
Dana
White and Paul Heyman appearing in the same video
is notable because of the corporate ties between their
respective brands. White is the President and CEO
of UFC. Heyman is one of the most influential figures
in WWE creative and currently appears on WWE television
as “The Oracle” of The Vision faction. UFC
and WWE have been corporate siblings since September
2023, when both companies merged under the TKO Group
Holdings umbrella.
The
reel marks the first publicly documented instance
of White and Heyman appearing together in the same
piece of content for a non-WWE, non-UFC corporate
property since the merger.
Park
MGM has hosted major events for both TKO-owned brands.
UFC has run multiple pay-per-views at the adjacent
T-Mobile Arena, and WWE held the 2026 Hall of Fame
Ceremony at Dolby Live at Park MGM on April 17 as
part of WrestleMania 42 weekend.
News
Casino
Entertainment Culture
Oceans:
George
Clooney confirms 'Oceans' cast set to reunite
In
a new interview, George Clooney revealed both Julia
Roberts and Brad Pitt will return for the highly-anticipated
“Oceans 14” movie that is expected to start
filming in the fall. He says Matt Damon and Don Cheadle
are also set to return with the new film set to explore
what it’s like to pull off a heist when you’re
no longer young and spry.
News
Movie
News/Entertainment/Pop Culture
Netflix
Casino Based Series, Casino Culture/Entertainment
and more
Past,
Present and Future
Martin
Scorsese, creators of ‘Billions’ teaming
up for Netflix Las Vegas drama
Netflix
has ordered a series set in Las Vegas from three people
who know the territory well: Casino director Martin
Scorsese and Ocean’s Thirteen writers and Billions
co-creators Brian Koppelman and David Levien.
The
streamer has given an eight-episode order to the drama,
which will center on the president of a hot Las Vegas
hotel/casino and the moves he makes to secure and
expand his position in the city. Koppelman and Levien
are writing the currently untitled show and will serve
as showrunners.
The
pair will executive produce with Scorsese and his
Sikelia Productions, Julie Yorn and Rick Yorn of Expanded
Media, Paul Schiff and Beth Schacter.
News
Under The Casino Table!
Casino
Notes
Casino
(TV series / mini-series) Casino (1995–1997):
A
famous five-part American television mini-series directed
by Martin Scorsese, sometimes referred to as the “Casino
trilogy/series” informally because it completes
Scorsese’s unofficial mafia trilogy (along with
Goodfellas and Casino the movie). However, it’s
not actually a traditional TV series but a long-form
film released in parts in some countries.
More
commonly, people just mean the 1995 film Casino itself
when they say “Casino series”
News
Casino
(1995) – Martin Scorsese Film & Its Informal
"Series"
The
iconic 1995 film Casino directed by Martin Scorsese,
starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Sharon Stone,
is often grouped with Scorsese’s other mafia/gangster
films as an unofficial trilogy:
Goodfellas
(1990)
Casino (1995)
The Irishman (2019)
Fans
and critics frequently refer to these three as Scorsese’s
“Casino trilogy” or “mob series,”
even though they are not direct sequels.
News
Casino
(2005–2006) – A short-lived Norwegian drama
series about a group of friends running an illegal
poker club.
Las
Vegas (2003–2008) – NBC series starring
James Caan and Josh Duhamel set in a fictional Las
Vegas casino (the Montecito). Often what people mean
when they say “casino series” in the 2000s
context.
Tilt
(2005) – ESPN drama about professional poker
players trying to take down a corrupt card room boss.
Luck
(2012) – HBO series created by David Milch, set
at a California racetrack with heavy gambling elements
(cancelled after one season).
YouTube
/ Streaming Content (Modern Usage)
In
recent years, “Casino Series” most commonly
refers to long-running YouTube or Twitch slot machine/streaming
series by popular gambling creators:
NG
Slot – “Casino Series” episodes where
he plays high-limit slots in Las Vegas and elsewhere.
The
Big Jackpot (Raja) – Famous for his “Boom!”
catchphrase and multi-hour “Casino Series”
videos.
Slotlady,
Brian Christopher Slots, etc., all have ongoing “casino
series” playlists.
Poker
Tournament Series
Major
recurring poker tournament festivals are sometimes
called “casino series”
Wynn
Signature Series
Venetian
DeepStack Extravaganza
Aria
Poker Classic
Commerce
Casino’s L.A. Poker Classic series, etc.
News
Notes
Many
online casinos (PokerStars, 888poker, partypoker,
GGPoker, ACR Poker, etc.) run branded poker tournament
series with “Casino” in the name, for example:
PokerStars
Casino Series (occasional themed online festivals)
888poker
Casino Pride Series or similar regional series
GGPoker
sometimes partners with land-based casinos for “Casino
Championship Series”
Land-based
casino tournament series
Major
casino chains frequently host recurring poker or slots
series:
Wynn
Signature Series (Wynn Las Vegas)
Venetian
DeepStack Extravaganza / DeepStack Championship Series
Seminole
Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO)
Commerce
Casino LA Poker Classic series
Choctaw
Casino Championship Series (Durant, Oklahoma)
Borgata
Poker Open / Almighties Million series
News
Netflix
Netflix
has several casino-themed series, including the new
Martin Scorsese-produced drama set in modern Las Vegas
(untitled, expected soon) and the Brazilian series
Rulers of Fortune, about Rio's gambling scene.
Other
popular options include the money-laundering crime
drama Ozark, the South Korean series Big Bet, and
classic films like Scorsese's own Casino.
News
More
Intel ...
Deep
Dive Under The Casino Table ...
Casino
Movies ...
Classic
Dramas and Crime
Casino
(1995): Directed by Martin Scorsese, this epic crime
film stars Robert De Niro as a gambling associate
sent by the mob to oversee operations in Las Vegas.
The
Cincinnati Kid (1965): A classic poker film featuring
Steve McQueen as an up-and-coming player attempting
to take down a legendary master.
The
Gambler (1974 / 2014): Both versions follow a literature
professor with a self-destructive gambling addiction
that leads to dangerous encounters with criminals.
California
Split (1974): Directed by Robert Altman, this film
is highly regarded for its realistic portrayal of
the gambling lifestyle and the friendship between
two bettors.
Heist
and High-Stakes Action
Ocean’s
Eleven (2001): A stylish heist movie where Danny Ocean
(George Clooney) and his team attempt to rob three
Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
Casino
Royale (2006): James Bond (Daniel Craig) must defeat
a private banker to terrorists in a high-stakes poker
game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro.
21
(2008): Based on a true story, this film follows the
MIT Blackjack Team as they use card counting to win
millions from Las Vegas casinos.
Modern
Poker and Psychological Thrillers
Rounders
(1998): Often credited with fueling the early 2000s
poker boom, it stars Matt Damon as a reformed gambler
who returns to high-stakes underground games to save
a friend.
Molly’s
Game (2017): Based on the true story of Molly Bloom,
an Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive
high-stakes poker game.
The
Card Counter (2021): A crime drama starring Oscar
Isaac as an ex-military interrogator turned low-stakes
gambler who uses the casino circuit to help a young
man seeking revenge.
Mississippi
Grind (2015): A road-trip drama following two gamblers
as they travel down the Mississippi River to a high-stakes
game in New Orleans.
Comedy
and More!
The
Hangover (2009): While primarily a comedy about a
bachelor party gone wrong, it features iconic scenes
in Caesar's Palace, including a famous blackjack card-counting
sequence.
Vegas
Vacation (1997): A family comedy where the Griswolds
deal with various casino-related mishaps in Las Vegas.
The
Cooler (2003): A unique story about a man whose bad
luck is so infectious that a casino employs him to
stand near winning players to "cool" their
streaks.
Media
Man: As always, bet with your head, not over it. If
it stops being fun its time to stop!
News
May
2026
The
Late Mail
Wynn
reportedly considering delay to opening date of UAE
integrated resort
Wynn
Resorts Ltd is said to be contemplating a delay to
the opening date for its US$5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan
Island integrated resort project in the United Arab
Emirates. According to a report by Bloomberg, which
cites sources familiar with the matter, the potential
postponement is due to construction delays as a result
of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. That’s
despite Wynn announcing in mid-March that it had resumed
construction in Ras Al Khaimah following a brief pause.
The company also revealed at the time that it was
assessing the situation regarding construction materials
awaiting delivery and exploring the possibility of
sourcing via alternative ports.
News
Casino
Industry: Sydney, Australia
May
2026
Star
Entertainment Completes Debt Refinancing as Casino
Licence Talks Continue
Star
Entertainment Group Limited has shared an announcement.
The
Star Entertainment Group has completed a refinancing
of its group debt with funds associated with WhiteHawk
Capital Partners, strengthening its capital position
amid ongoing regulatory scrutiny. This move is part
of broader efforts to stabilise the business and support
long-term operations across its casino properties.
The
company is advancing its remediation plan to meet
requirements set by the NSW Independent Casino Commission
and the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming, including
decentralising its operating model and introducing
technology to promote safer gambling and better monitoring.
The future status of its Sydney and Gold Coast casino
licences remains under discussion with regulators,
with decisions expected later in the year and significant
implications for revenue, reputation and investor
confidence.
Star
Entertainment Group Limited: About
The
Star Entertainment Group Limited is an Australian
casino and entertainment operator listed on the ASX.
The company runs major gaming and hospitality properties,
with a focus on regulated casino operations in New
South Wales and Queensland.
Average
Trading Volume: 4,980,488
Technical
Sentiment Signal: Strong Sell
Current
Market Cap: A$729.9M
News
At
MGM Resorts properties, customers give gaming’s
future a spin - 27th June 2015
By
HOWARD STUTZ
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Tables
resembling giant smartphones have grown so popular
inside The Mirage, Bellagio and MGM Grand that content
providers are clamoring to put their free-to-play
gambling products on the devices.
Recently,
Reno-based Spin Games added its slot machine, video
poker and bingo games to the tables, which already
offer blackjack and slot machine titles provided by
the myVegas social casino application.
MGM
Resorts International views the tables — which
were manufactured by an Australian company —
as a way for its customers to test-drive gaming’s
future.
However,
it may be a year before real money can be wagered
on the multiplayer tables.
“This
is one more step in our strategic initiatives that
will revolutionize how Generation X and Y experience
our properties,” said Tom Mikulich, MGM Resorts’
senior vice president of business development. “Our
ultimate goal is to convert the ‘free to play’
games to ‘real money games’ in early 2016.”
Mikulich
wouldn’t be surprised to see tables, or a variation
of them, eventually find a home on the slot machine
floor.
Last
week, Nevada’s gaming regulators took the initial
steps in developing rules designed to save the state’s
slot machine industry. The new regulations could make
Mikulich’s prediction come true.
Fueled
by the passage of Senate Bill 9, the Gaming Control
Board — with input from gaming equipment manufacturers
and interested parties — began developing the
language governing “skill-based gaming,”
which would add arcade-style video components to the
traditional slot machine.
Imagine
“Space Invaders” meets “Wild Cherry.”
Control
Board Chairman A.G. Burnett figures the regulation
drafting will take a multiple steps. But the working
elements, which marry games of skill with games of
chance, are sorely needed for a product that could
become obsolete unless it starts attracting a younger
demographic.
“Can
the one-armed bandit reinvent itself?” Deutsche
Bank gaming analyst Andrew Zarnett rhetorically asked
the investment community in a research report this
month. “There is no doubt that gaming, specifically
the slot machine, needs a face-lift.”
That
makeover is supported by the Association of Gaming
Equipment Manufacturers, which backed the bill. The
measure, signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, allows for
“hybrid games,” where a combination of chance
and a player’s skill determines the outcome of
a jackpot.
In
the past few years, the casino industry has targeted
millennial customers — young adults born in the
1980s and 1990s — by offering entertainment amenities
(nightclubs), dining (trendy restaurants), and edgy
retail (tattoo parlors and brand-name clothing designers).
Where
the casino operators have fallen short is in gaming.
“(Casinos)
have failed to get millennials to spend their dollars
on slot play, in any meaningful way,” Zarnett
said.
Data
from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
show baby boomers represent 35 percent of Strip visitors.
Millennials account for 25 percent and growing. Zarnett
expects millennial visitation to surpass baby boomers
visitation by 2020.
Skill-based
slot machines could be a key attraction to ensure
millennials gravitate toward casinos.
“Players
will now have the opportunity to be part of the game,
improve their odds and thus ultimately lengthen play
time,” Zarnett said.
Millennials
have become acclimated to playing games for free on
mobile devices, including social casinos. The market
was $2.8 billion revenue business in 2014, Eilers
Research reports. Players often spend nominal fees
to acquire virtual gaming chips, such as 99 cents
for thousands of tokens.
The
trick is to convert those free play customers into
real money gamblers. That’s where skill-based
slot machines and the tables inside MGM properties
come into play.
Besides
offering social games, the 42-inch screens let customers
watch television, access social media and check on
their fantasy sports teams. The tables also serve
as a “virtual concierge” that customers
can use to buy show tickets or make restaurant reservations
through their MGM player loyalty program.
For
now, they tables been located in high-customer traffic
areas not traditionally associated with gambling,
such as lounges, nightclubs, dayclubs and bars. One
popular table at The Mirage is inside the Roasted
Bean coffee bar.
Zarnett
believes skill-based game integration could be the
spark to jump-start a slot machine replacement cycle
“which has been a stupor for many years.”
The last big movement to switch out older slot machines
with newer models came more than 10 years ago, when
ticket in-ticket out cashless gaming was introduced.
So
far this year, the biggest slot machine supplier news
came a week ago. International Game Technology said
it placing 400 games at Penn National Gaming’s
Plainridge Park in Massachusetts while Scientific
Games Corp. sold 2,000 slot machinelike video lottery
terminals to the Oregon Lottery.
New
Jersey and several American Indian tribes have experimented
with skill-based slot machines. Zarnett said Nevada’s
entry was critical because it gives manufacturers
a potentially large market.
“Since
the Great Recession began in 2008, the supplier space
has faced declining demand year after year,”
Zarnett said. “For gaming operators to achieve
improved revenue growth, they need to attract more
patronage and play from the millennial generation.”
Skill-based
games and tables like the ones at MGM properties are
a start.
(Las
Vegas Review-Journal)
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