Murren

LAS VEGAS—MGM Resorts International is moving into social gaming in an effort to attract more gamblers to its casinos, said MGM Chief Executive Jim Murren at casino industry conference here Wednesday.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

MGM Chairman and Chief Executive Jim Murren said the company has "long been supportive" of federal legislation to strengthen online-poker regulation and its new partnership can "ensure a secure, fair and entertaining online poker experience."

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Mr. Murren indicated MGM's game would be for trying to grab new customers.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

"I turned my Bloomberg off about three weeks ago," Mr. Murren quipped.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

Mr. Murren has consistently been among the most upbeat among gambling operators regarding the future of Las Vegas, even in depths of the recession of a couple years ago.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

Mr. Murren didn't provide more details about the plans.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

Mr. Murren was speaking at the keynote address Wednesday at a conference called the Global Gaming Expo.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

Murren added that he expects conventional business to be up over 30% this year.

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MGM is also working on developing around 20 non-casino projects throughout China, Mr. Murren said.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011

"The demographics of online gamers are really right in the strike zone of the gaming industry," Mr. Murren said, pointing to the connection between non-gambling gamers and gamblers.

MGM Resorts to Start Online Game to Woo New Customers Alexandra Berzon 2011