This week’s gambling news finds that the loosening of restrictions on Las Vegas casinos has several (MGM properties) making the decision to return to 24 hour, 7 day a week service. Meanwhile, the Virgin Las Vegas Hotel and Casino has set a new opening date, and even some Las Vegas shows are reopening with the expanding capacity limits. We also say goodbye to Full Tilt Poker, as PokerStars is closing the brand.   Hello, friends! Thanks so much for joining me on another edition of This Week in Gambling! And hey, couldn’t we all use some good news right about…

Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand Sold: MGM Growth Properties and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. have announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to form a new joint venture to acquire the Las Vegas real estate assets of the Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand for $4.6 billion. In addition, BREIT will purchase $150 million in MGP Class A shares. MGP will own 50.1% of the joint venture, and BREIT will own 49.9%. At closing, MGM Resorts International will enter into a long-term triple net master lease for both properties and provide a full corporate guarantee of rent payments….

The Nevada Gaming Commission on Thursday signed off on a $500,000 fine against Mandalay Bay but also used the penalty to send a warning to the rest of the casino industry. Representatives of the company (MGM Resorts International operates the resort) did not contest the findings of a five-count complaint that employees of the House of Blues Foundation Room provided illegal narcotics and prostitutes to undercover officers four times during a two-month period. In addition to the fine, Mandalay Bay agreed to a $17,000 reimbursement of investigative expenses. The commission unanimously approved the settlement after a hearing that lasted more…