BetMGM has officially assumed control of the racebook and sportsbook operations for MGM Resorts International at its physical casinos throughout the US. 

In essence, BetMGM will become a "key employee" within MGM's sportsbooks, assuming several high-level responsibilities at those locations. BetMGM is a 5050 partnership between the casino powerhouse and Entain Plc.

"The expectation is that BetMGM will have certain high-level functions, including trading, customer service, risk and fraud, marketing, and payments. As the employer, MGM be responsible for oversight and policy direction,” said BetMGM attorney Scott Scherer to CDC Gaming.

In connection with its management of MGM racebooks and sportsbooks, BetMGM will implement the house rules established by the different gaming establishments. 

Recent Developments in BetMGM Operations 

BetMGM has referred to 2024 as “a year of investment,” and the announcement that it’s taking charge of MGM’s physical sportsbooks is the most recent in a series of developments at the iGaming and sports betting company. 

At the beginning of this month, BetMGM revealed the appointment of Casey Hurbis as its chief marketing officer. He formerly had the same position at Rocket Mortgage and possesses over twenty years of experience in the automotive sector. 

“Hurbis and BetMGM’s creative agency of record, Highdive, previously collaborated on three top-ranked Super Bowl campaigns at Rocket Mortgage, laying the foundation for even greater synergies and success at BetMGM,” according to a press release.

Last month, BetMGM simplified its digital rewards program, allowing bettors to see their accumulated loyalty points in one wallet rather than navigating through multiple state-specific wallets. 

In August, BetMGM announced that the digital wallets utilized by bettors could be transferred across state borders. Clients who register for a BetMGM account in Las Vegas can now utilize the same account in other states where the operator provides iGaming and sports betting services. The firm is the first in the gaming industry to utilize that synergy. 

Additional BetMGM Insights 

The connections between MGM and BetMGM have been clear for a long time, and several of the casino operator's physical sportsbooks already feature BetMGM branding, suggesting that the transition to BetMGM overseeing those locations was more about “when” rather than “if.” 

There have been persistent rumors about MGM's desire to take full control of the iGaming/sports betting division, and this speculation intensified earlier this year when activist investors advocated for change at Entain. CEO Jette Nygaard-Andersen noted that joint ventures are not permanent, yet MGM has not publicly expressed a desire to acquire Entain’s share in BetMGM, nor has the UK-based firm indicated that it is seeking to sell that stake. 

Regarding daily operations at MGM sportsbooks, BetMGM is in charge, but should major problems arise, the resolution will be determined by an executive from each casino, who will be an MGM employee rather than from BetMGM.