We’ve become so inured to casinos highballing attendance figures that it comes as a pleasant surprise when one opens to business that exceeds expectations. Such is the case with MGM Springfield, which is seeing 50,000 customers per weekend day 
and 25,000 on weekdays. For the moment MGM Resorts International is being cagey about the gross and September’s revenue report won’t give us a full picture, the casino having opened partway through the month. As casino prexy Mike Mathis said, “Nothing meaningful, in our view, can be taken from such a short window.” The news, however, must deal a blow to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, who are stuck in the mud in East Windsor with no sign of their slot barn, er, satellite casino being anything more than a pipe dream anytime soon.
The MGM casino does have two problems. One is minors being left unattended on the casino floor and the other is failing to meet its target of 50% female employees (the percentage now stands at 46%). MGM clearly could have done a better job, given the long run-up, to handling Problem Two. As for Problem One, MGM is dealing with it proactively by issuing an edict that anyone under 16 anywhere on the property must be accompanied by an adult. We like the sound of that.
In not-such-good news, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission was told that its investigators need more time to probe Wynn Resorts, in the wake of rampant sexual-misconduct allegations 
involving Steve Wynn. Everyone had hoped to wrap this up by the end of summer but no dice. Whatever this means for Wynn Resorts, it can’t be favorable or a bill of clean health would have been issued by now. The good news for Wynn Boston Harbor is that State Gaming Commission Executive Director Edward Bedrosian has taken confiscation of the property off the table and is now only talking about unspecified sanctions, probably a whopping fine and a stern lecture, even though Steve Wynn is no longer around to benefit from either.
As long as we’re on the subject of MGM, hurrah for its decision to ban throwaway plastic utensils at its China properties, starting early next year. GGR Asia reported, “The company estimates that this will prevent more than 860,000 plastic straws 
and over 470,000 plastic containers for take-out food from being added each year to the burden of waste borne by the environment.” Added MGM China CEO Grant Bowie, “Plastic straws and other single-use plastics are having detrimental impacts on the natural environment and our next generation. By making the right decision today, we would like to turn the tide on plastic pollution and contribute to the sustainable development of Macao.” Good for you, sir.
* Good news for Las Vegas: It’s been rated the “most fun” city in America by Wallet Hub. Among the key metrics are being first in dance clubs per capita, second in bar accessibility, fourth in restaurants and fifth in festivals, and ninth in attractions and fitness centers. However — Ahem! — beer prices were 74th-best. Could you work on that, Sin City?
