Gambling in the USA
MGM Resorts International Pledges $1 Million For Employee Emergency Fund And Donates Close To Half A Million Pounds Of Food, Equivalent To 400,000 Meals Across The US
MGM Resorts International announced an array of initiatives intended to support those impacted economically by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including a $1 million crisis and disaster relief pledge into an employee emergency grant fund and donating the equivalent of 400,000 meals across the United States.
“As we confront extraordinary events and an unprecedented global pandemic crisis, we know that this is an extremely challenging and uncertain time for many of our employees, their families, friends and neighbors and we are committed to help those in need,” said Bill Hornbuckle, Acting CEO and President of MGM Resorts International. “We have done a number of things to help our colleagues, including significantly expanding eligibility coverage for the MGM Employee Emergency Grant Fund. MGM Resorts International is donating $1 million towards disaster relief to offer additional support to employees impacted by the crisis and who may be experiencing hardships.”
Hornbuckle added, “We’ve also stepped up our commitment to communities around the country. Over the past week, MGM has donated the equivalent of 400,000 meals through local food banks to alleviate food insecurity in the United States.”
In November, MGM Resorts launched its bold vision for social impact and sustainability, Focused on What Matters, a companywide program focused on a goal-centered approach to making positive impacts in its communities. Company goals by 2025 include 5 million meals to be donated through its Feeding Forward program and surpassing 1 million volunteer hours within the community.
“In battling the current global crisis, at MGM Resorts we intend to embrace humanity, exemplify inclusion and exhibit compassion. Our commitment to our employees and the communities in which we operate, conduct business and serve our customers, remains steadfast,” said Jyoti Chopra, Senior Vice President, Chief Diversity & Sustainability Officer for MGM Resorts International.
Additional information below:
MGM Resorts Emergency Relief Fund
The MGM Resorts Emergency Relief Fund provides employees and their immediate families with short-term relief in making payments or to meet obligations during unexpected hardships and emergencies. MGM Resorts’ $1 million pledge will provide expanded coverage for the fund to assist those impacted by the coronavirus, including: full-time employees, on-call employees and those facing layoff, separation or furlough.
Community Food Donations Across the Nation
Because of the difficult decision to temporarily close its properties across the country, to date MGM Resorts International has donated over 480,000 pounds of food – or 400,000 meals – to the communities in which it operates. The company is working with local food banks to ensure all available fresh food from its resorts is safely and quickly donated to charitable organizations in several underserved areas.
MGM Resorts International (Las Vegas, NV): Across Las Vegas, MGM Resorts has provided extensive on-the-ground support and in-kind donations to several local community organizations and agencies. So far, the resort group has donated 301,000 pounds of food to Three Square Food Bank, providing 251,000 meals to community members in need. Nonperishable food has been donated from multiple MGM Resorts’ properties across The Strip along with bags for the distribution of food and meals to those in need. MGM will continue to work with Three Square as well as other food banks throughout the city to manage donation intake and food storage.
MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, Md.): MGM National Harbor worked with food donor partner Nourish Now to contribute 55,000 pounds of food to community nonprofits such as Nourish Now. The food will provide more than 45,000 meals to Maryland residents throughout Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
MGM Springfield (Springfield, Mass.): MGM Springfield has donated 12,000 pounds to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Open Pantry Community Services and Friends of the Homeless. These donations will provide over 10,000 meals to Springfield residents in need.
Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Miss.): Beau Rivage has donated 25,000 pounds of food to multiple organizations including Extra Table, Loaves & Fishes, Lord is My Help and the Hancock County Food Pantry for individuals and families across the city. The effort will provide more than 20,000 meals to South Mississippi families who may have suddenly found themselves in need.
Gold Strike: (Tunica, Miss.): Gold Strike has donated 10,000 pounds of food which is more than 8,000 meals to Sacred Hearth Southern Mission.
MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, Ohio): Working with JACK Casino and JACK Thistledown, MGM Northfield Park has donated more than 3,000 pounds equal 2,500 meals of food to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, offering support to the Northeast Ohio community. They are continuing to donate throughout the week.
MGM Grand Detroit (Detroit, Mich.): To provide critical help to the city, MGM Grand Detroit has donated approximately 15,000 pounds of produce and dairy products to Forgotten Harvest, a food distribution channel equal to 12,500 meals. MGM Grand Detroit also donated 3,000 gloves to medical professionals in the City of Detroit.
Borgata: (Atlantic City, NJ): The Borgata has donated more than 35,000 pounds or about 30,000 meals to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic County and to the Community Food Bank of NJ.
Empire City:(Yonkers, NY): Cariats of Port Chester NY received approximately 25,000 pounds of food from Empire City which equals to 20,000 meals.
ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 29 unique hotel and destination gaming offerings including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world, the company recently acquired the operations of Empire City Casino in New York and Hard Rock Rocksino in Ohio, which was rebranded as MGM Northfield Park. In 2018, MGM Resorts opened MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, MGM COTAI in Macau, and the first Bellagio-branded hotel in Shanghai. The over 80,000 global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International
BetMGM Casino
BetMGM Reveals 2025’s Most Searched Casino Games
Key Findings
- Nevada recorded the highest combined casino game search interest nationally, achieving a perfect 500/500 score in 2025, the only state to do so.
- Home to Las Vegas—the world-renowned center of casino gaming and entertainment—Nevada recorded casino game searches 181% above the national average last year, reinforcing the city’s dominance in gambling culture.
- Michigan led all legal online casino states for overall search interest across major casino game categories.
- The most-searched casino games nationwide were slots.
- Search interest across legal online casino states was closely matched last year, led by Michigan.
- The District of Columbia showed the lowest search interest, searching 38% below the national average.
Casino Game Online Search Results
| Game | Score
*Maximum 5,100 |
Search Interest |
| Slots | 2831 | 31.2% |
| Casino | 1717 | 18.9% |
| Roulette | 1607 | 17.7% |
| Poker | 1594 | 17.6% |
| Blackjack | 1329 | 14.6% |
Legal Online Casino States Where BetMGM Operates
| Legal Online Casino States | Casino Game Search Interest Score (Out of a total of 500) | National Ranking |
| Michigan | 172 | 20 |
| West Virginia | 171 | 21 |
| Pennsylvania & New Jersey | 169 | 22 |
Key Insights from Legal Online Casino States
Here are a few of the key findings from this research:
1. Slots Dominate Regulated Markets
Slots are the top-searched casino game in every legal online casino state except New Jersey, reinforcing slots as the primary driver of online casino interest in regulated U.S. markets.
2. New Jersey Stands Out with Roulette-Led Interest
New Jersey is the only legal online casino state where roulette outranked slots as the most searched game in 2025. This indicates a more diversified player base with a stronger interest in live dealer and table games.
3. Search Interest is Tightly Clustered Across Legal States
Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all ranked closely together nationally (positions 20–22), with very similar search interest scores.
Methodology
BetMGM Casino analysed Google search trends to assess nationwide interest in casino games over a 12-month period, covering January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Search interest was measured across five core casino game categories:
- Casino
- Slots
- Poker
- Blackjack
- Roulette
Only the generic category terms (for example, “slots”, “poker”, and “casino”) were analyzed. No modifiers such as “online”, “real money”, or brand-specific keywords were included. This approach ensures the data reflects overall interest in casino games, rather than being influenced by regulatory differences, platform availability, or other variables in individual states. It is critical to note Google Trends is strongest when you compare high-volume, generic terms.
Google Trends scores were used to compare relative search interest by state, with values scaled from 0 to 100 per category, where 100 represents the highest level of search interest observed during the period analysed.
This methodology allows for a consistent, like-for-like comparison of casino game popularity across the United States, highlighting regional interest patterns and broader gambling trends rather than online-only behavior.
Play Your Favorite Online Casino Games at BetMGM
Whether you search for online slots, casino table games, or live dealer casino game experiences, you can find your favorite online casino games at BetMGM Casino.
When you sign up to enjoy any of these great games, you’ll also get access to great ongoing and limited-time promotions, as well as the BetMGM Rewards loyalty program that offers both online and in person benefits for BetMGM players.
The post BetMGM Reveals 2025’s Most Searched Casino Games appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
Teamsters at Rio Hotel Ratify Strong Contract, Avert Strike
Workers at Rio Hotel and Casino, represented by Teamsters Local 986, have overwhelmingly ratified a strong four-year collective bargaining agreement. The group of 62 front desk workers, laborers, warehouse workers, and valet attendants secured higher wages, improved benefits, and stronger workplace protections.
“Our members stood strong, and management had no other choice but to deliver. This win belongs to every worker who refused to be ignored, and it proves that when we fight as one, we secure real improvements,” said Tim Vera, President of Local 986.
The four-year deal delivers a 15% wage increase, improved vacation policies, and continued coverage under the Teamsters Health and Welfare plan. The contract also includes job protections against technology and an option for workers to enroll into the Teamsters 401(k) plan.
“All we asked for was a fair contract that allows us to do our job without worrying. We didn’t want to strike, but we were ready if it came to that. Now we can come to work knowing that management listened and that our labor is respected,” said Malinda Zarcone, a front desk worker and steward at Local 986.
The agreement was reached after workers voted to authorize a strike on Nov. 10 over unfair labor practices. The vote followed nearly two years of stalled negotiations by Dreamscape, the property’s owner.
“Management dragged out negotiations and our members held them accountable. We don’t tolerate delays and disrespect toward our members. We’re always prepared to take action and win,” said Tommy Blitsch, Director of the Teamsters Convention, Trade Show, and Casino Division.
The post Teamsters at Rio Hotel Ratify Strong Contract, Avert Strike appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Gambling in the USA
MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino
MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive brings the beloved classic to life in the casino pit, transforming every round into a dynamic and rewarding experience. Mr. Monopoly is the star of the show, randomly selecting hands and providing exciting multipliers up to 10x, keeping players engaged and on the edge of their seats.
Details
Designed to deliver high energy and volatility without compromising house edge, the MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive is unlike anything the industry has seen. With nostalgic animations and familiar visuals, this theme adds a fresh layer of excitement to the table—and best of all, it’s compatible with nearly any Galaxy Gaming progressive.
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The post MONOPOLY Table Games Progressive from Galaxy Gaming debuts at the Plaza Hotel & Casino appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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