Nobody will forget the experience

By now, anyone who pays even a little attention to the goings-on in Las Vegas has heard about the debacle that was the MrBeast Experience at Resorts World. Running April 13-15, the event was supposed to consist of “a variety of on-site activations designed to offer an immersive and unforgettable experience.”

no activities, no events, nothing

It was certainly an unforgettable experience, but not for good reasons. Attendees reported not just a disappointing experience, but quite literally no experience. There were no activities, no events, nothing. Gift bags included seemingly random MrBeast merch with no regard to apparel sizes, and low-quality Feastables chocolate (MrBeast’s brand).

All of this for about $1,000. And MrBeast did not make an appearance.

Attendees were eventually given a $50 voucher for use at the property, but $50 does not go far at Resorts World. Fortunately, after everyone rightfully raised a stink, Resorts World agreed to issue refunds.

MrBeast had no involvement

It sounds like the “experience” was destined to fail from the very start because of a combination of greed and lack of communication.

According to the in-the-know social media account Las Vegas Locally, a Resorts World insider said: “The MrBeast Experience was essentially just a licensing deal with the MrBeast IP. There was no experience ever planned, and internally none of the teams were informed of the extent of the hotel package.”

So, on Team MrBeast’s end, it was a quick and easy way to make some money, to get “clicks,” as it were. Just give Resorts World permission to use the name and logo and cash the check. Additional evidence that it was a completely hands-off situation with MrBeast was his response on X to a disgruntled attendee:

“Hey! This definitely isn’t the experience we hoped they’d deliver. My team’s already on it—I’d love to personally make it up to you and anyone else by inviting everybody affected to tour my actual studio! Can’t wait to meet you all and my team is reaching out to everyone :D”

Note the wording: “the experience we hoped they’d deliver.” It really was just a licensing deal and MrBeast had no input.

Ok, you made the deal…now do something

On Resorts World’s side, as the insider told Las Vegas Locally, “internally none of the teams were informed of the extent of the hotel package,” clearly a gigantic communications screw-up.

no idea what they were doing

It is unknown publicly exactly what happened – and really, that’s Resorts World’s business – but some marketing manager probably got overexcited about the deal they just made with the almighty MrBeast and ended up over their head. They got all pumped to get signage printed and the promo announcement made and then either forgot about the rest or assigned tasks to someone else who had no idea what they were doing.

Basically, it was amateur hour. It’s like when I was a green IT consultant, fresh out of college, and was sent to New York City for a day to oversee the installation of racks of equipment in a client’s new server room. I had no idea what I was doing and just hoped that everyone on the client site did. The best I could do was observe, nod, and peer closely at times. I did “tip” a cargo delivery person $20 to bring the equipment into the building when he was just going to plunk everything on the sidewalk. So that was quick thinking.

So, there was likely one person who knew much of anything about the MrBeast Experience, but nobody who was actually tasked to design any events or collaborate with MrBeast’s team. I wouldn’t be surprised if the person who put together the goodie bags had no idea what they were and just said “umm….ok” when told to do something.

MrBeast was happy to make money, Resorts World was happy to draw people in with the MrBeast name, but nobody involved actually talked to each other about doing anything.

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Law enforcement has targeted a St. Petersburg, Florida, police officer for allegedly sharing confidential information from private databases with the suspect allegedly responsible for two explosive devices that were left at the Tampa Hard Rock casino in September.

facing up to five years in prison for the third-degree felony

Officer Brandon Klaiber is facing two counts of offense against intellectual property and has been suspended without pay. He is facing up to five years in prison for the third-degree felony.

The 40-year-old is a long-time friend of the suspect, Bryan Eckley, who was released on $200,000 bail in April following his arrest on October 30. Eckley still denies involvement, and a judge in the case said that he was entitled to bail as the devices were more akin to fireworks than viable destructive devices.

He allegedly left two devices in restrooms in late September, leading to an evacuation.

Investigators found text messages between Eckley and Klaiber that contained information from restricted databases. The release announcing the second arrest did not shed any light on the nature of the information.

Klaiber has been an officer since 2008 and regularly provided information to his friend about different individuals. The authorities are now trying to determine if he disclosed similar information to others.

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The Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto has to pay a CA$120,000 (US$86,492) penalty to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) after two dealers were caught colluding with players that led to the illicit winnings of CA$20,000 (US$14,415) over a week period.

AGCO was unhappy that pit supervisors and the property’s surveillance team missed it all

Some of the ways in which the dealers helped three individuals cheat included intentionally showing hidden cards, overpaying winning hands, and overdrawing dealer cards. AGCO was unhappy that pit supervisors and the property’s surveillance team missed it all and failed to follow table audit processes.

AGCO charged five people in the case and remarked that it wasn’t a one-off incident at the Toronto casino. It received a CA$80,000 (US$57,661) fine in September 2023 over a cheating scheme involving an electronic craps dealer.

Talking about the matter, AGCO CEO and Registrar Dr. Karin Schnarr said that all licensees “have an obligation to ensure the integrity of gameplay in their casinos.”

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A hot topic in recent times is the seemingly ever-increasing cost of parking on the Las Vegas Strip. While once upon a time you could leave your vehicle for free, most resorts now charge you for doing so.

properties have gradually hiked up these rates

Some properties have gradually hiked up these rates. MGM Resorts, for example, brought its prices up in December to a daily rate of $20 for hotel guests from the previous $18 level.

The high cost of parking clearly disgruntled one individual on Wednesday, with casino security having to respond to an incident in the parking garage of an unnamed Strip property:

The man wasn’t going to pay and decided to drive through the barrier after throwing his ticket at the workers. Many of the comments to the X post were sympathetic to the angry customer:

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Resorts World Las Vegas is facing the wrath of disgruntled YouTuber influencer fans after a disastrous start to a MrBeast Experience at the Genting-owned resort casino marketed as the “ultimate Vegas vacation package.”

only to be left twiddling their thumbs

“False advertising,” X user JamieY stated in a live post from Resorts World, summing up the mood of the many MrBeast fans who snapped up the three-day package only to be left twiddling their thumbs.

Las Vegas Locally took to X Tuesday to cite multiple event attendees condemning The MrBeast Experience as “a total disaster”:

JamieY’s video from the resort lists a litany of event fails, starting with being sent to her room for three hours to wait for the advertised “exclusive mystery bag.” When the bag arrived the next day, it was filled with disappointing merch, including “extra-extra small t-shirts” for adults.

The MrBeast fan goes on to describe the lack of promised activations and front desk Resorts World employees claiming they had zero knowledge of the event. 

“We’re just stuck waiting because no-one knows anything,” she added.

Another video clip included Resorts Worlds employees trying to placate a large group of angry MrBeast Experience attendees, including a woman unhappy with being “forced to drink $63 coffees.”

This is the second time MrBeast event organizers have caused havoc in Las Vegas, with a chaotic Beast Games film shoot resulting in contestants filing lawsuits.   

JamieY summed up her MrBeast Experience at Resorts World as “horrible” with “nobody taking any accountability at all.”

“Parents took their kids out of school for this event so it’s super disappointing.”

Resorts World Las Vegas’ Chief Marketing Officer Ronn Nicolli had previously asserted the MrBeast Experience would be “special and unexpected.” MrBeast President and CEO Jeffrey Housenbold likewise promoted the event as including “fun, surprises, and generosity.”

According to MrBeast fans, the disappointment is, ultimately, an unexpected surprise.

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A New Orleans roulette dealer has been arrested for stealing from her employer. The Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division announced on Monday the apprehension of both 46-year-old Margaret Lake and her accomplice, 23-year-old Ahmod Junius.

Lake intentionally allowed Junius to place late wagers

Detectives from the Gaming Enforcement Division’s New Orleans Field Office began investigating a possible theft of more than $10,000 from Caesars New Orleans last Tuesday, April 8. They found that Lake intentionally allowed Junius to place late wagers, thus assuring that he would win. Though the police have not made public the exact amount of money that was illicitly won, both individuals have been charged with one count of theft between $5,000 and $25,000.

While dealers stealing or cheating is a fairly rare occurrence, the opportunity is there, so it does happen. In September 2024, for instance, JACK Cleveland Casino poker dealer Jack Saliba was found to have swiped chips from the pot and players’ stacks. He was fired and was charged with 14 separate gaming law violations.

In October and November of last year, Rivers Casino Pittsburgh blackjack dealer Jamie Smith dealt nearly 200 “fake” hands, resulting in players winning almost $22,000. Law enforcement confirmed suspicions when they saw Smith on surveillance footage not taking players’ chips on lost hands and overpaying on winning hands.

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Unlicensed gambling operators have been on the receiving end of several court judgments across Europe in recent years. The latest sees Betsson having to repay a customer €530,000 ($599,756) who lost money gambling with the company’s brands that didn’t have licenses in the Netherlands.

The person, named only as “Eric” in court documents, initially deposited back in 2014 when online gambling was illegal in the country. He was able to play online casino games at sites under the ownership of the two defendants, Corona Limited and BML Group Limited, including Betsson, Oranje Casino, and Kroon Casino.

His deposits totaled €385,378 ($436,099), with the interest adding up to €144,622 ($163,656). The judge tacked on another €5,751 ($6,507) in legal costs. Betsson didn’t have any representatives at the hearing.

could open the floodgates for other people who lost significant sums gambling on unlicensed casino sites

This case follows a similar ruling in which a Dutch court ordered Betsson to pay €119,634 ($135,379) in interest to a losing customer. These rulings could open the floodgates for other people who lost significant sums gambling on unlicensed casino sites.

While online gambling became legal in the Netherlands in October 2021, Betsson still doesn’t have a license. It submitted an application before withdrawing it in July 2023 over the time the vetting process was taking. The operator stopped accepting customers in the country following the legal market launch.

The post Betsson Ordered to Pay Dutch Customer €530k as Online Casino Wasn’t Licensed appeared first on Vegas Slots Online News.

High-profile arrests

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has added his voice to rising calls for the resignation of Prospect Park Councilman Anand Shah after his arrest last week along with high-ranking Lucchese mobsters.

major gambling ring bust

Shah, 42, and the Lucchese members were among dozens the New Jersey State Police arrested in a major gambling ring bust announced Friday. 

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin took to X to share news that all those arrested are accused of operating illegal poker games and an online sportsbook:

Since Shah’s alleged links to the gambling network have surfaced, his position as a publicly elected figure seems untenable.

On Monday, a spokesperson cited Governor Phil Murphy’s statement that he believed it “would be in the community’s best interest for the councilman to resign, effective immediately.”

Crime family drama

Shah was among 37 people the NJSP arrested and 39 people charged in the bust. Following a two-year investigation, state troopers swooped on illegal operations in Woodland Park, Garfield, and Totowa netting $3m in illicit profits, AG Piatkin alleged.

In a release, the AG’s office singled Shah out for “allegedly managing illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese Crime Family.”

charges include money laundering, racketeering

Shah’s multiple charges include money laundering, racketeering, and conspiracy to promote gambling and he faces a maximum 20 years in prison.

The accused councilman is due in court Tuesday, where according to the New York Post, “prosecutors will be arguing for him to be kept in jail while his case plays out.”

Rather than wait for justice, a group of elected officials from Shah’s municipality want the politician to resign his council position and withdraw from the re-election race immediately. Councilman Robert Artis prefaced the group’s demands by describing Shah as having held important posts including Treasurer of the Board of Education, and Finance Committee Chairman.

Taint of suspicion

Artis’ concerns echo those of Gov. Murphy who questioned Shah’s “ability to effectively serve the Prospect Park community.”

“Continuing to serve in any official capacity under this cloud of suspicion damages the credibility of our governing body and erodes confidence in how we manage both municipal and school finances,” Artis stated.   

AG Piatkin, meanwhile, warned that while popular fiction glamorized organized crime in New Jersey: “the reality isn’t romantic or cinematic. It’s about breaking the laws the rest of us follow and, ultimately, it’s about money, control, and the threat of violence.”

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Rapper and serial gambler Drake bet streamer Adin Ross $100,000 that he couldn’t outcurl a bodybuilder from the musician’s Canadian homeland. 

Drake made the challenge during his gambling livestream with Adin Ross on Sunday, which Kick shared a clip of via X:

Having agreed to a $100k bet he could outcurl Drake, the rapper surprised him by introducing his champion, International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation bodybuilder Alicia Bell. 

Cue a series of reps using progressive increases in weight. While Ross managed to match Bell’s reps at the lower weights, he finally failed to even partially extend his arm on bigger set of dumbbells. Bell’s victory gave the five-time Grammy Award winner the bet, which Drake said he’d split 50-50 with the bodybuilder. 

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MGM Resorts has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent months, including hiking up ATM fees, turmoil in senior management, and layoffs at the Excalibur. Its share price has plummeted 32% over the past year, with investors seemingly concerned about the future direction of the company.

The rumor mill is in overdrive again, with two of the most prominent Las Vegas news pages on X reporting about more upcoming job losses.

continuing cost-saving measures across the company

Vital Vegas initially revealed over the weekend that significant layoffs will be happening in the MGM contact center, which looks after room reservations at its Las Vegas properties. This is part of continuing cost-saving measures across the company:

Sources suggest the jobs could be outsourced to overseas call centers, in addition to the introduction of more self-service check-in kiosks at properties.

Las Vegas Locally then revealed that more than 200 people in the contact center department will be losing their jobs according to a source:

With experts concerned about the potential impact of renewed Trump’s tariff war on Las Vegas tourism, MGM appears to be tightening its belt. People will be watching closely to see if other major casino companies follow the same approach in the coming months.

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The race for the three coveted downstate New York casino licenses is getting closer to a conclusion, with the state’s gaming regulator set to hand out the approvals by the end of 2025.

wanted to have a casino on the top three floors of its iconic store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan

The competition is lessening somewhat as Saks has announced it is pulling out of the bidding process. The well-known retailer wanted to have a casino on the top three floors of its iconic store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. As reported by CoStar News, Saks Global will instead focus on other strategic priorities.

This means that the proposals remain for a New York casino license, with the final applications and the accompanying $1m charge due by June 27. Two existing slots parlors run by MGM Resorts and Genting are favored to get the licenses, leaving one for the others to fight over.

Some of the more prominent bids include Steve Cohen’s $8bn project beside CitiField, a Wynn Resorts bid in Hudson Yards, and Caesars Entertainment in Times Square.

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The recent tit-for-tat introduction of tariffs between the US and China will have a knock-on impact on Macau’s gambling sector, according to one expert.

Speaking to Inside Asian Gaming, Macau Economic Association President Lau Pun Lap noted that while tariffs won’t have a major impact on importing and exporting goods, the services sector could be hit hard.

72% of visitors to Macau came from mainland China last year, and Pun said that the tariffs will, as a result, “impact on the export of integrated tourism services,” with consumer confidence hit hard.

Pun believes that total revenue could only hit MOP$230bn (US$29bn)

Recent results from the first quarter show some cause for concern. The MOP$57.6bn (US$7.2bn) revenue was underwhelming, with the government’s forecast last year stating that the region’s gaming revenue would hit MOP$240bn (US$30bn) in 2025. Pun believes that total revenue could only hit MOP$230bn (US$29bn) due to the possible impact on consumer spending.

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