Nevada gaming authorities are evaluating a plan proposed by Park MGM to establish a specialized gaming salon that allows guests to be professionally recorded while playing table games. The Nevada Gaming Control Board endorsed this initiative during its meeting on Wednesday.
The proposal is now set to be reviewed by the Nevada Gaming Commission, anticipated to make a decision on March 26. This innovative idea focuses on a dedicated area for real-money table gaming, which would seamlessly combine regulated video and audio recordings. According to casino representatives, the technology will be managed entirely by the casino staff, not by the players themselves.
“Our MGM interactive team believes there is a growing interest within the gaming community for recording players’ experiences for their enjoyment,” stated Chandler Pohl, Vice President and Legal Counsel for MGM Resorts International. “In this salon space, the public could join in and have their gameplay recorded and shared, if they choose to obtain a copy.”
As part of the scheme, participants will have the option to request a video recording of their game session as a personal keepsake. Officials likened this service to amusement parks where guests receive videos or photos after an attraction.
This initiative follows last year’s regulatory adjustments that enhanced the accessibility of gaming salons and permitted integrated audio and video captures within these venues.
“This initiative is unprecedented following the regulatory updates,” noted Board Chair Mike Dreitzer.
According to MGM representatives, the new facility at Park MGM will feature three gaming tables for baccarat, blackjack, and roulette. The setup is adaptable to meet the specific needs of patrons using the space. “There will be flexibility to include additional slot machines or alternate configurations,” Pohl added.
Recording gaming actions in a bustling casino environment poses operational hurdles, which is why the decision was made to situate this offering within a salon. “It will resemble the World Series of Poker or similar filmed events where a crew captures gameplay while patrons actively participate,” Pohl stated.
The salon will operate in two distinct configurations: the public setup, where guests can enter and play while recordings occur, as long as they sign a waiver consenting to the use of their image. In a private mode, filming can also be conducted under restricted access.
“In the private salon, similar rules will apply, as filming can take place within that space,” Pohl explained. “All camera and audio recording equipment will be under MGM’s control, unlike the Strip’s influencers who typically use their own gear.”
The salon’s design departs from typical private gaming rooms, opting for curtains instead of solid doors to provide privacy when needed. Casino officials indicated that this concept was influenced in part by the nearby T-Mobile Arena.
The arena attracts considerable foot traffic between itself and the casino during major events, which sparked the idea for a space catering to both public and private gaming experiences.
While private salons typically come with access restrictions, MGM intends to seek flexibility if the plan is granted final approval. “This would grant Park MGM greater flexibility, particularly when accommodating an influx of visitors from T-Mobile or other locations who arrive on short notice, allowing us to cater to them in a private setting,” Pohl noted.
The Park MGM salon is likely to be primarily utilized for private gaming sessions, though this could evolve if interest in recorded gameplay surges. “Park MGM regards this as a one-of-a-kind endeavor, making it challenging to predict its utilization patterns,” Pohl said.
The company is gearing up to pilot the salon’s operations through invitation-only tournaments once the facility becomes operational. Pohl informed regulators that MGM currently manages approximately six similar salons across its properties, while The Cosmopolitan also hosts several comparable spaces.