- In this post, I will be going over some interesting MGM Springfield facts as well as some Borgata Casino facts.
- The two casinos were recently combined under one company – MGM Resorts.
- One of the most fascinating facts about MGM Grand is that it cost more than one billion dollars to build.
In 1993, the biggest and boldest hotel casino in the world opened its doors. Named appropriately enough – MGM Grand Las Vegas – it was a flagship property which symbolized the growth of the MGM brand.
ComoPlay Casino Review NZ 2023 | Bonuses, Win Rate & Games - Indivisible GamingSince then, MGM has gone on to add a plethora of hotels and resorts to its roster. And, with the introduction of online gaming, the opportunity to add virtual properties to the mix.
From the bricks and mortar MGM Springfield to the online MGM Springfield casino … there are plenty of places to visit under the MGM banner. If you’re thinking of joining me on a tour, it might be worth brushing up on these facts about MGM Grand.
Interesting Facts About MGM Grand
When listing out MGM Grand facts, where do you start? Should you begin with the first MGM Grand to open its doors back in 1993? Or perhaps one of the international venues such as MGM Macau? What about the online MGM sites that have sprung up during the past decade? As there are so many angles to take, I’ve decided to keep things simple by focusing on two big hitters. Specifically, I’m going to talk about the following two casinos.
MGM Grand Las Vegas Facts
- When it Opened in 1993, MGM Grand Las Vegas Cost $1billion to build. This made it the most expensive hotel in the world at the time. Although records have fallen numerous times since then, MGM Grand Las Vegas remains the most expensive hotel on the strip. This is partly due to its size but mainly because of the fact it contains over 160,000 square feet of gaming space. To put that into perspective, most of the top rank, include DuckyLuck Casino and Wild Casino, have less than 50,000 sq ft of gaming space.
- It was originally known as MGM/Grand Hotel & Casino. However, “MGM/Grand” was considered too many syllables by marketing executives. Therefore, they dropped the forward slash and created one of the most iconic brands in Sin City.
- The hotel has 171,500 square feet of casino space. As mentioned above, this makes it one of the largest land-based casinos in the United States. For some perspective on how large this really is, Ignition Casino is one of the larger online casinos and it has fewer than 150 games.
- There are a total of 6,852 rooms. If you wanted to stay in every single room at MGM Grand Las Vegas it would take you 19 days to work your way through them all. That is if you stayed in a different room each day. Of course, you’d then have to go back to the start and do them all again. Assuming you had the money for 39 plus room service and housekeeping is also on hand, it would cost you $542-$12,800 per night depending on the type of room you opted for. Based on that, it’s probably better to stick with the top real money slot car racing games when emulating your trips to the grand!
- The venue employed 6,000 people during the construction phase. When it was at its busiest, MGM Grand Las Vegas had 5,000 staff members. Needless to say, it takes a lot of people to keep what is effectively a small town afloat. From chefs and cleaners to dealers and directors, there’s no denying MGM Grand is a hive of activity. That is, if you visit the site. Even though the casino is closed, there is an that allows you to get your fix from the comfort of your own home!
- You could play non-stop for 75 years. Finally, if you combined all the gaming options at MGM Grand (slots, table games, poker, etc.) and sat down at one , you would take 75 years to play them all. Even if you bet at the speed of light, which is impossible, you’d only manage ~200 bets per second. Hence why that figure isn’t exactly accurate. Regardless of how fast or slow you are, playing at land-based venues like this and can still be fun without having to complete or a paytable to remember!
MGM Grand at Foxwoods Facts
- When it opened in 1992, it was the world’s largest hotel complex. Complete with 2,500 rooms and 40 meeting rooms, MGM Grand at Foxwoods was the biggest bun in the oven. However, that title was stripped away in 1993 when and Venetian both usurped it. As you can read above, MGM Grand Las Vegas took a huge chunk out of the MGM balance of books in 1993. Fortunately for MGM, Foxwoods was up and running. Thus, it helped recoup some of those costs. Even though it’s not the biggest hotel in the world anymore, there is a great . In fact, there are nine restaurants to choose from. From a eating perspective, you could spend an entire month sampling a different establishment each day. Of course you’d need to ignore breakfasts if you wanted to make it to day 30. And who wants to live without coffee for that long?! As MGM Grand Chicago is currently under construction, the Foxwoods venue is the second oldest MGM Grand venue. Only MGM Grand Las Vegas has been standing longer. Despite this, there is a great and a thriving community of online players.
- It was built on former Pequot tribal land. Like all good casino stories, there is an air of intrigue around the birth of MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Why? Because it was built on land that belonged to the Pequot tribe. When the state of Connecticut ruled that slot machines could only be operated on tribal trust lands, the Pequot decided to team up with MGM in order to build a resort. In exchange for a cut of the profits, the tribe allowed MGM to use their land. Needless to say, everyone benefited. The resort is still standing while the is thriving.
- There is a ceiling made of glass. If you like your casinos with a touch of surrealism, MGM Grand at Foxwoods is right up your alley. Why? Because it has a ceiling covered in 350,000 pieces of glass that resemble fish swimming in the sky. Trust me, it sounds weird but looks even weirder. Personally I prefer my to be a little grounded with some realistic graphics! Then again, everyone’s tastes are different.
- An employee found a ladybug plague. When the resort first opened its doors in May 1992, there were more than 450,000 ladybugs crawling around the complex. Although that might sound like the start of a horror movie, it wasn’t intended to be scary. In fact, the infestation was orchestrated to protect the plants in the gardens. From a monetary perspective, a pest control company was paid $325,000 to bring the bugs in and look after them. While an employee was tasked with looking after them on a daily basis. Fortunately, things aren’t as buggy as that nowadays. In fact, visiting the MGM Grand casino online won’t expose you to any six legged creatures…that I know of!
- A union between MGM and ITT Sheraton. Originally MGM Grand at Foxwoods was supposed to be a joint venture between two hospitality giants: MGM Mirage and ITT Sheraton. Under the proposed plans, ITT Sheraton would run the hotel side of the business while MGM Mirage looked after the casino. Although the deal was supposed to be done in 1995, ITT Sheraton pulled out in December 1994. This meant MGM had to find a way to merge both operations together. Needless to say, someone must have done something right because the MGMsheraton.com domain name now points to a page that’s trying to sell you MGM Springfield facts and offers. Sometimes it pays to see things through. Take poker as a prime example. The first version of was released in 1990 and had numerous issues. Still after almost 30 years, has stuck to its guns and grown into the industry leader it is today.
Borgata Casino Facts
- It Cost $1billion to build. Care to guess how many zeros are in a billion? Me neither. What is easier is remembering that is one of the priciest hotels in the world, with their parent company Boyd Gaming being another major player in the gambling scene. So, when it comes to comparable figures, some would argue there aren’t many to choose from. As is the case with the opening of , which also cost north of $1billion to build. Yet more evidence that the US market is catching up to that of Macau and Singapore. Opening its door in 2003, it didn’t take quite as long to welcome in the punters unlike MGM Grand which was mentioned earlier. Oh and did we mention that the actual plot of land it’s built on is worth $58 million? Crazy right! For a site of their caliber, it’s definitely worth noting that their – especially during peak periods like summer and winter breaks. Also, make sure you have some of your best game modes ready to play. Nothing is guaranteed, but it can certainly help.
- Married in a million dollar chapel. On July 6 2003 former heavyweight champion of the world, , got married to his long term partner in a lavish ceremony that cost $500,000. Was it worth it? If the smile on his face was anything to go by, I’d say yes. Oh, and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd? That cost $1 million to build. Meaning it was basically the most expensive wedding in a wedding chapel ever. In terms of Toney and boxing, there’s certainly a connection here. In fact, Mike’s boy, has inherited his father’s jab and is tipped to be a future star of the sport. Talking of stars, Borgata has hosted its fair share of A-listers over the years. Everyone from to Jerry Seinfeld has graced the stage. Sadly, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for me to call on his manager to book me. But you never know. Stranger things have happened. Like when won the World Series of Poker Main Event despite having only bought in for $50 to blinds of $100/200!
Despite only having 3,006 hotel rooms, in 2018 it was named the top hotel in New Jersey by USA Today readers. How does it compare to other Atlantic City hotels? Well, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has 2,707 rooms and while Trump Plaza wasn’t rated before it closed in 2014, Trump Taj Mahal had 2,024 rooms. So, in terms of numbers, Borgata leads the way. Is it the place you should be heading to ? Probably not. Then again, there’s only one way to find out. And that’s by actually doing it. As the old saying goes: fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Make sure you’re fully equipped with the best slots and strategies before jumping into the deep end.
Best Sweepstakes Casino USA Real Money Alternatives 2023- Home to the largest sports bar in Atlantic City. When you think of Borgata, you think of . And when you think of a top quality poker room, you think of Borgata. But did you know the venue is also home to Old Homestead North, Bobby Flay Steak, Molos, Ortolan, Angeline, Borgata Baking Company, Gulf Stream Cafe, Lovia, Opria, Sunroom, The Water Club, The Poolside Grill and MIXX. The latter, MiX, is located on the 71st floor and has breathtaking views of Hong Kong. Okay, I added the last bit. MIXX is an amazing restaurant in my mind. But the view over the casino floor is nothing special. However, the highest bar in Atlantic City is special. Located on the 58th floor of The Top of the Stratosphere Tower, the RAK Lounge is where it’s at. Want to know the best part? The Top of the Stratosphere – where the lounge is based – also has four extreme thrill rides. Including SkyJump, which is a controlled free fall 866 feet above the ground. That’s enough to get anyone’s heart racing. Which, of course, means it’s the perfect place to grab a drink and relax! If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, the Borgatini Wine Bar and Lounge will be more up your street. With over 175 wines on offer, including 22 by the glass, there’s something to suit every palette. For me, there’s only one question here. Has anyone ever tried to do shots while swinging from SkyJump!?
- Over 2,800 Sq Ft of Poker Space. Finally, and most importantly, Borgata is home to one of the best poker rooms in the world. Boasting over 2,800 sq ft of gaming space, it has 80 tables. During the summer of 2015 the venue played hosts to the WPT Tournament of Champions. With a buy-in of $15,400, the $5,860,400 prize pool broke the previous record for the biggest tournament in WPT history. The winner, , took home $1,644,066 for finishing first. That’s not the biggest prize pool or payout on offer at Borgata, however. That honor goes to High Stakes Monty, who won $1,734,068 via an anonymous cash in an even more confidential event. In terms of Borgata poker series’, there’s MOSE, Borgata Fall Poker Open, Winter Open, Poker Open, Ladies Open, and Borgata Spring Open. Online counterparts of these events sometimes run too. For instance, partypoker’s MOSE online ran in 2020, with the next possibly upcoming. Just don’t try and swing from the chandeliers whilst playing online, like in Bob’s dream from Swing. Thank goodness we don’t have chandeliers, all you need is your phone or laptop to get involved with the action. Speaking of phones, if you haven’t already, make sure you install the official Borgata app and .
MGM Springfield Facts
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Enemies in the beginning. Firstly, MGM Springfield facts include that when the idea was first mooted, the two companies weren’t seeing eye to eye. In fact, they were suing each other. The reason? They both wanted to build a casino in Springfield. As MGM Red Rock – now known as Texas Station) was already in the MGM stable, the parent company decided to try and fail to secure a venue in Springfield. Fast forward a few years and they got their wish. Only this time, it was a joint venture with Penn National Gaming. When the venue finally opened its doors in August 2018, it ended a near decade long casino drought in Massachusetts. And Beacon Hill’s 15-year ban on video lottery terminches at racetracks.
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Cost $960 million to build. Another similarity MGM Springfield has to MGM Grand Las Vegas is the cost of construction. At $960 million, MGM Springfield is hardly cheap. It’s not as expensive as the original Borgata, but it’s not far off. Then again, very few venues are. Taking inspiration from nearby cities such as Boston and Chicago, the building features brick, limestone, and glass. These materials are designed to blend old and new architecture styles. In some ways you could draw comparisons with Las Vegas Boulevard. Particularly the strides Planet Hollywood has made to modernize the once outdated venue. Regardless of whether you prefer new or old, brick and mortar casinos are always going to have a certain charm about them – especially when designed correctly.
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It has four upscale dining options. There is no shortage of quality eateries inside MGM Springfield. Specifically, you can sample the joys of arsenal cafeteria food…I mean you can enjoy the following establishments:
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GWU – An upscale take on a classic deli. Think corned beef sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and cheesecake. Oh, and it’s kosher too.
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The Food Court – If you want a quick bite, the food court has a selection of local vendors selling everything from wood fired pizza to baked goods.
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The Market – Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, and snacks. If you want something to eat and you’ve got a few minutes to spare, The Market is the place to go.
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Tastes – Located on the casino level, Tastes serves up a variety of hot and cold appetizers 24 hours a day. From mac and cheese to chili and clam chowder, there is something to tickle your taste buds.
Based on the passage above, you won’t be able to get a full on Harry Redknapp style Full English or an Arsenal inspired cheese and ham pie. However, GWU does sell bagels so you could always get creative…
free slots games for freeOn a serious note, the dining options sound nice. But do you know where you can get some really good grub while enjoying all your favorite casino games? Online, of course. Take a gander at the and you’ll notice buffet style options as well as sit down meals. Plus, you can pick up some chips while you’re at it!
- Roof Deck. If the dining options haven’t tempted you inside, maybe the roof deck will. Cover 12,000 sq ft of outdoor space featuring lush greenery and panoramic city views, the deck is open between April and October. Why not pop up there for a drink or two? But, please, for the love of all that is holy, don’t try and swing from the vines like…well, you know the rest. Oh, and did we mention that MGM Springfield facts like this make it ideal for sunbathers? Something that is severely lacking from online casinos…unless you count a red hot runner on roulette!
- LEED Certified. Before I tell you what LEED certified means, let me ask you this. Would you rather be in a green building or a standard one? Hopefully, you chose option one. Besides being kinder to the environment, studies suggest LEED certified buildings retain 20%-30% more cash thanks to reduced energy bills. Oh, and did I mention that LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design? Basically, it’s a green stamp of approval that tells you the venue is environmentally friendly. Other “green” casinos include Park MGM in Las Vegas and Casinois Jimmy Fallon, which hasn’t got anything to do with springs or MGM but is another site worth visiting if you like swings and spins.
MGM Properties
As you can see from the MGM springfield facts and others mentioned above, there is no shortage of fantastic venues under the MGM banner. You could spend a lifetime hopping from one location to another. Unless, of course, you decide to stay at home and play at MGM National Harbor, one of the top in the industry. Either option is fine by me. Personally, I like the convenience of online gaming. No matter how sumptuous a spread may be, a buffet line is nothing compared to the power of skipping a middleman and going straight to the source. That’s literally what the internet has done for gambling and it’s important we appreciate how easy we’ve got it.
MGM has come a long way since the early nineties when the company essentially had three major assets:
- MGM Grand Las Vegas.
- Bellagio.
- Circulating the idea of setting up an MGM Casino in Springfield.
Okay, so the third point was contested by the company. But the overall message is clear. MGM was and is a company focused on physical assets. Over the last decade or so, many of those beliefs have changed. Nowadays, it’s possible to buy casino chips with cryptocurrency at various venues owned by MGM. But the true extent of the company’s digital dominance can be seen below:
As you can see, MGM has either wholly or partially invested in 13 different online entities. From social gaming to direct access via a smartphone or tablet, the company has realized the error of its ways. Yes, MGM now has the best of both worlds. It can cater for those who want to immerse themselves in a physical experience. Alongside providing a platform for those who just want to log in from their couch and roll a couple of deuces. Okay, maybe I jest about the quality of your online rolls. But you get my drift, right?
That concludes our MGM facts and that of it’s competitors. If you feel like I’ve missed anything out, please let me know and I’ll see if it can be added to the piece. Alternatively, if you’ve enjoyed this retrospective, why not drop a shout out in the comment section and give it a thumbs up? As they say, sharing is caring. And that old adage holds true here. Sharing this article with your friends, family, and followers is a great way of giving back to the community. Who knows, the gambling ghost of Christmas yet to come might appear and grant you three wishes as a sign of gratitude! Until then, why not check out our list of the and see if yours is on the list.
Footnotes:
- MGM Grand Las Vegas details are taken from the .
Kevin Roberts, previously published as Alexander Cleary, is a freelance writer for GamblingSites.com. He has been producing content for the gambling industry since 2014 and is specialized in casino and sportsbetting reviews.