This Week in Gambling

MGM Resorts has acknowledged that its summer pricing in Las Vegas sparked a public backlash and forced the company to make rapid changes. Executives said the controversy began when reports surfaced of steep markups on basic items, most notably a $26 bottle of water at one of its Strip hotels. The episode crystallized customer anger about perceived gouging and made pricing a public relations problem for the operator. On an earnings call, MGM Resorts’ leadership admitted the company “lost control of the narrative” and described the episode as a mistake. The CEO said the company reviewed its own practices after…

NoMad Las Vegas, the boutique hotel located atop Park MGM on the Las Vegas Strip, is set to undergo a major rebranding. The property will officially be renamed The Reserve at Park MGM on December 17, 2025. The change marks the end of the NoMad era while keeping the property’s premium accommodations intact. The hotel currently features 293 rooms and suites, all of which will continue operations under the new branding. Several of the property’s signature venues will also be renamed. The NoMad Pool will become The Terrace Pool, the NoMad Library will be called The Library, and the NoMad…

The Caesars Palace poker room has moved back to its original location on the casino floor after a brief absence, reopening with a refreshed setup and fewer tables. The venue closed in August 2024 when the resort needed room for a high-limit slot salon. A temporary poker facility opened in May 2025 in the Appian Way retail promenade, near the statue of David. As of November 2025, the Caesars Palace poker room is once again located adjacent to the sportsbook. The renovated layout includes 16 tables, two fewer than before the closure. The design prioritizes more space and comfort, with…

Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie is defending the strength of sports betting regulations for the US market, even as recent legal troubles involving NBA figures have intensified debate over sports betting regulations. At the same time, members of Congress are renewing demands for tighter federal safeguards in response to scandal. In a guest essay and media interviews, Christie argued that the legal market is proving its value by uncovering manipulative betting behavior that would likely remain hidden in an unregulated environment. He pointed to recent indictments, including those involving NBA and MLB players, as evidence that detection systems built into…

Las Vegas ziplines are an amazing adrenaline pumping way to spend time in Sin City. So This Week in Gambling, we’re looking at five ziplines ranging in height, length, speed, and price to help find the rides that are just right for you! Most everyone who’s visited Las Vegas knows about the ziplines on Fremont Street and the strip. But those aren’t the only rides in town. There are other ziplines that are small enough for the kids and others that are 700 to 800 ft above the ground and more! Let’s begin with the obvious and head to downtown…

Missouri sports betting officially began statewide today, December 1, 2025, opening both mobile and retail wagering after years of legislative debate and a narrow ballot approval. The new framework allows adults 21 and older, physically located within the state, to place bets via licensed mobile apps or at approved casino and retail sportsbook locations. The Missouri Gaming Commission completed a regulatory roll-out in the months ahead of launch to vet operators and finalize compliance rules. On launch day, multiple national operators initiated services in the state, offering mobile apps and retail counters at casinos across the state. The law authorizes…