MGM Resorts International is used to dealing with lawsuits from patrons who have a variety of reasons for suing the casino operator. Dwight Manley has filed a federal lawsuit against the operator claiming that MGM Resorts had committed fraud and negligence against him that resulted in him losing millions. 

Manley Says Drink Was Spiked With Ketamine

Some may be familiar with the name Dwight Manley as he was the agent who once represented NBA star Dennis Rodman. Over the years, Manley has developed a reputation for betting big and that’s what he did one of MGM’s casino properties in Las Vegas that saw him lose millions.

Manley claims that during his time at the casino, someone decided to spike his drink with ketamine – a drug that is used to tranquilize animals. It was during this period that he acted erratic and ended up losing over $2 million. Manley alleges that MGM Resorts staff should have stopped him from playing but instead encouraged him to bet more.

Manley and his legal team have also promised a reward of $500,000 if they can find the individual who is alleged to have spiked his drink!

More details have emerged about the recent ransomware attack that hit MGM Resorts’ US operations, with the casino operator disclosing that the attack resulted in a $100 million loss for the company. Customers’ personal information was also compromised during the attack which was reported on September 11, affecting MGM’s primary website, in-casino services, and online reservation systems.

Cyber-attack Led to $100M Loss for MGM

In a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), MGM revealed that it suffered losses in earnings of $100 million due to the attack. On top of that, the company also recorded less than $10 million in one-time expenses for risk remediation and incident response measures which it says will be covered in full by its cybersecurity insurance.

The financial impact of the cyber-attack, which was later found to be perpetrated by a ransomware gang called “Scattered Spider”, will be mostly confined to MGM’s Q3 2023 results, the company stated.

Customers’ Personal Information Compromised 

MGM notified affected customers, including those who transacted with the firm before March 2019, that the hackers managed to steal their personal information, including their full name, phone number, e-mail address, passport number, driver’s license, and Social Security Number (SSN). 

MGM assured its patrons that their passwords, payment card information, and bank account numbers were spared from the cyber-attack.

Sands China Ltd will help revive the site of the old lec Long Firecracker Factory in Taipa Village, a popular culture and heritage destination in Macau. The factory, which was established in 1925 and closed down in 1984, underwent partial renovation last year and has since opened to the public as one of the city’s historical attractions.

Sands China to Add AR Experience to lec Long Firecracker Factory 

With Sands China’s new initiative, visitors to the lec Long Firecracker Factory will enjoy new features, including an augmented reality (AR)-assisted tour experience. The operator is embarking on the new project in cooperation with the Macau government as revitalization work on the historic site continues. 

Sands China’s president Wilfred Wong Ying revealed during a press briefing on September 29 that the AR initiative is now in the design stage and is expected to launch within the first half of 2024.  On top of that, the casino operator will also put up food and drinks outlets at the site, along with an art exhibit and other decorative items.

Redevelopment of Two Old Streets in Downtown Macau

Other culture and tourism projects that Sands China will be working on include the redevelopment of two historic streets in downtown Macau – the Patio da Eterna Felicidade and the Rua das Estalagens.

A Harry Potter-themed exhibition will visit one of Macau’s casinos, The Londoner Macao, this December. The Cotai property, owned and operated by Sands China Ltd, announced that “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” will open on December 15, 2023, with visitors getting the chance to enjoy all things Harry Potter at the venue daily from 11:00am – 7:00pm. 

What’s In Store at the Exhibition

Harry Potter: The Exhibition, which is currently on a world tour, celebrates the iconic moments, characters, and settings in the Harry Potter film series and the Wizarding World. Spectators get to explore behind-the-scenes moments from the popular movie series and embark on a personalized journey through interactive storytelling and immersive technology. 

The exhibition, which is billed as the “most comprehensive” Harry Potter-related exhibition of its type, comes to Londoner Macao through the efforts of Imagine Exhibitions, Inc., Warner Bros. Discovery Global Themed Entertainment, and EMC Presents LLC which are the organizers of the spectacle.

Tickets Currently Available

Tickets are now on sale and available until February 29, 2024. Guests of all ages may enjoy the exhibition. 

Hosting the event is part of Sands China Ltd’s non-gaming commitment in Macau, with the casino operator investing MOP27.8 billion over the next 10 years in non-gaming projects aimed at attracting foreign visitors.

The government of Nepal has been told to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing policies, especially in the gambling industry. The Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering identified Nepal as a country that is exposed to money laundering threats from neighboring jurisdictions because of its unprotected borders and close economic and trade links to other nations.

Criminals Laundering Money at Casinos in Border Region

The APG examined Nepal’s vulnerability to money laundering and found that criminals target casinos, particularly in the border region, to launder proceeds of their illegal activities carried out elsewhere. In its report, the inter-governmental organization stated that Nepal’s casinos operate under an “unclear regulatory framework”, making them prone to criminal activities. 

The APG also noted that Nepalese authorities don’t have adequate measures in place when granting casino licenses, with applications not thoroughly reviewed. For instance, in the last five years, the agency that has oversight of the casino industry, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, approved the applications of all 19 new casinos.

At the moment, Nepal is home to a total of 28 licensed casinos, some of which are located near the Indian border. 

Nepal Not Fully Compliant with FATF Recommendations

According to the APG, Nepal also failed to fully comply with recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding supervision of the country’s casino industry.

The APG report calls on the Nepalese government to improve risk-based supervision of certain sectors, and the casino industry must be given top priority.