MGM Resorts International has decided that it made a faux pas … not by suing victims of the Mandalay Bay Massacre but by not explaining to employees what it was doing, leaving them open, says CEO Jim Murren, to “media reports which were misleading 
and truly awful.” Said the CEO, “I first want to express my sincere regret that we did not spend more time explaining what we were trying to accomplish.” I don’t know what’s so difficult to explain about having a plethora of lawsuits dismissed. Instead of taking this opportunity to enlarge upon MGM’s legal strategy, Murren simply reiterated what the company has already said: “We believe this action benefits all victims by providing an opportunity for closure in a swift and fair manner.” Yes, I’m sure if litigants get their cases tossed out of court they’ll be sure to thank MGM for being “swift and fair.” Boy, does the company keep tripping over its shoelaces.
Murren compounded his insensitivity by saying the action was taken in part for the convenience of MGM employees, should the cases proceed in civil court. “If these cases proceed in this manner, victims, which include MGM Resorts employees and families first responders and witnesses would face the need to testify over and over again, traveling throughout various court rooms across the US in trial after trial.” Ah, that must have been at the root of MGM’s decision.
For legal expert David Levine it’s all about MGM saving money by resolving the case in one big trial, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Levine expects MGM to win but, “In a personal injury situation, you let the plaintiffs go first,” after which MGM could present its Safety Act defense. The company obviously doesn’t want it to get that far, which is why it’s trying to head 
plaintiffs off at the pass by moving for a declaratory judgment hors de combat.
Even’s Murren’s letter of explanation seems to have been judged a goof. MGM — or someone — was quick to remove it from Scribd. Both the 2,500 plaintiffs and MGM have to lob legal Hail Marys to make their case: MGM to prove that the Safety Act immunity of its security contractor extends by association to MGM itself, the plaintiffs to demonstrate negligence on the casino company’s part. At least Murren can breathe a sigh of relief that his NBA “official gaming partner” pact is pushing his latest mansplanation out of the headlines.
* As I type this, Harrah’s Resort is only minutes away from starting to take sports wagers. Like Bally’s Wild Wild West, it’s using a somewhat thrown-together, temporary book to get the 
ball rolling. Caesars Entertainment regional President Kevin Ortzman believes sports betting can grow the Boardwalk: “We have found that the majority of sports bettors are not the same as our core gamers. So this brings a whole new customer to Atlantic City.” I’m surprised at how few Atlantic City casinos are ready to launch sports betting, having been caught napping by the Supreme Court ruling in Murphy v. NCAA. But some — mainly Caesars — have obviously made the reward-vs.-risk calculation that no one will care if a quick-and-dirty sports book is plunked down if New Jersey won, saving company money while punters wait for the high-tech version.
That would include easily impressed Millennial Kevin Nagle, who says sports betting will “save Atlantic City.” (Note to Nagle: It’s 
still the third-biggest gambling market in the U.S.) Calling sports wagers “the only thing” standing between Atlantic City and doom, Nagle said, “It’s going to be awesome. Sit back, drink a couple beers and watch some sports. It’s fucking awesome.” That’s the future of America for you, folks. Try not to panic.
* U.S. News & World Report ranked the top hotel-loyalty programs and *not one* casino company even cracked the top 10. No Total Rewards, no MLife. Etcetera. Surely we can do better than that? How about making it a goal for 2019?
* Maybe it’s a generational thing but Lawrence Ho seems to be outpacing Sheldon Adelson as the trendsetter for Macao. 
He’s opening the enclave’s first e-sports stadium in Studio City. Expected to open by year’s end, the stadium will broaden Melco Resorts & Entertainment‘s mass-market appeal. Not only has Melco dabbled with e-sports in the past, it is also responding to a governmental wish (read: mandate) to diversify consumer options beyond gambling. Only North America is as e-sports crazed as China, so Ho is definitely striking while the iron is hot.
