MGM Vegas Casino Review

A stalwart of the Las Vegas skyline, the green-glass building of the MGM Vegas Casino is truly iconic. The casino and hotel first opened in its current iteration in 1993. While it was originally quite a family-friendly resort with some interesting themes, it’s evolved over the years to offer a more mature and premium experience.

Nowadays, you can enjoy over 2,500 slot machines, one of the best poker rooms in Vegas, and many exciting table games. If that’s not enough, there are many dining options and several pools for hotel guests. 

Our team at Betsquare really knows what to look for at a great land-based casino, having visited tonnes of them in our time – including casinos up and down the Vegas Strip. In our MGM Vegas Casino review, we’ll tell you all about the pokies and table games you can play here, give you an insight into what type of promos you can look forward to, as well as give you a balanced overview of the pros and cons of gambling at this casino. 

Having been in business for over 30 years, MGM Vegas Casino – or the MGM Grand as it’s known – has provided keen slots and table games players with a fun experience since online casino gambling was a thing. 

The MGM Grand is owned by MGM Resorts International, a hospitality and entertainment company with resorts in many destinations, including Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Vegas. MGM is one of the two major casino operators in Vegas (the other one being Caesars), and as such, it owns several properties, including the Bellagio, Park MGM, and Mandalay Bay, in addition to the MGM Grand. 

At the time of opening, the MGM Grand had the most casino floor space of any casino in the world, plus it was also the world’s largest hotel, with 5,000 rooms. Here are some key stats about the casino:

Now that you have all the basics, you’re ready to dive right into our MGM Vegas Casino review for more details on the gambling experience. 

If you’re familiar with other casinos in Vegas, we have some good news – they all look pretty similar inside (except maybe the heavily themed ones). 

Land-based casino floors tend to be a bit of a maze, and this one is no different. There aren’t any windows in Vegas casinos, so losing track of time is possible. 

Once inside the MGM Vegas Casino, you’ll notice how big it is. It’s a massive property with a sizeable casino floor, the hotel reception, and a host of restaurants, from fine dining options to fast food.

The casino floor spans pretty much the whole of the ground level, with all the bars and cafes located around the edge for easy access.

The casino floor at MGM is always buzzing with people, both keen gamblers playing the slots and table games, attendees at the conference centre, hotel guests, and those just walking around to soak up the atmosphere.

It makes for a great environment in which you can enjoy games. Of course, the casino is open 24/7, so you can gamble any time of the day or night.

Everyone you encounter—from the hotel reception staff to servers—is there to ensure you have a great experience, so if you need any help, feel free to reach out. Plus, if you’re gambling, you might even get some free drinks; just don’t forget to tip the server generously. 

Accessing MGM Vegas Casino

By now, you know that the MGM Grand is in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you’re travelling from Australia, you’ll be flying into Harry Reid International Airport, just a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, where the MGM Grand is located.

First, you’ll need to get from the airport to the casino. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that an Uber or other rideshare is cheaper or quicker: just get a taxi. The flat-free ride to the MGM Vegas Casino is $21.

The MGM Grand is located at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard (commonly known as the Strip) and Tropicana Avenue. The distinctive green-glass front and the huge lion statue make it hard to miss. Just like all other casinos in Vegas, you don’t need to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the casino and dining options. There’s also no entry fee – you can just walk in and start playing the game of your choice.

Now that you know exactly how to get there, we’ll tell you more about gambling in the casino in the rest of our MGM Vegas Casino review. 

The MGM Vegas Casino has a huge casino floor, so it should come as no surprise to hear that there are thousands of games for you to choose from. Whether you’re into big progressive jackpot pokies or you prefer table games, there’s something for everyone. 

Pokies

MGM Grand is home to over 2,500 pokie games across the casino floor so that you won’t be short of choice, and even at busy times, you’ll find a place to play. 

Some of the most popular titles include the Asian-themed Bao Zhu Zhao Fu, which comes with three different Hold & Spin bonuses, and the Multi-Level Progressive Mystery of the Lamp Slot. There are also new slot machines added frequently, so you can try out new arrivals like Gong Xi Fa Cai Grand and Gold Spin Deluxe, plus classics like Buffalo and Wheel of Fortune are also present. 

Alongside all your favourite games, there are some exciting progressive pokies. Some of the jackpots are just based on one machine, so a percentage of everyone’s wagers on that particular machine will contribute towards the overall prize pot. Other jackpots are linked between several machines, so the potential jackpot prizes can get into the millions. Just in April 2024, MGM Grand paid out jackpots worth $60,100,000. 

One of the great things about the slot machines at MGM Grand is that they come with such a wide range of possible stakes. For example, there are high-limit pokies where you can play for as much as $1,000 per spin and super low-stakes games where the minimum is just 1c. If you’re a seasoned player, you’ll want to check out the high-limit games lounge, where you can expect a more premium experience. 

Table Games

If slots aren’t your thing, don’t worry too much. There’s also an abundance of tabletop games at MGM Grand. These are the top games you can play:

• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Craps
• Pai Gow Tiles
• Roulette
• Single Zero Roulette
• Poker

If you’re a keen poker player, you might be interested in the regular festivals that MGM Grand hosts. For example, some promise up to $3 million in prize money across games like No Limit Hold’em and Mixed Games.

The poker room at the MGM Grand is known as a major destination in Vegas, and it operates 24/7, with buy-in starting from $100. There are also daily Texas Hold’em tournaments, where buy-in starts at just $1 – $2. If you’re looking for a more laid-back experience, there are also video poker terminals at the bar on the casino floor. 

MGM Vegas Casino Software Providers

As you’d expect from a high-quality casino like this, MGM Vegas only uses the best casino software developers. You can rest assured that no matter which slot machine you choose, you’ll have a high-quality gaming experience that’s totally fair.

One of the main casino game providers at MGM is IGT. It’s the brains behind the popular Wheel of Fortune slot, and since its inception in 1990, have become one of the world’s biggest providers of land-based games.

Another name to look out for is Aristocrat. It makes the classic Buffalo slot game and its spinoffs, like the progressive jackpot Buffalo Link and the brand-new Buffalo Stampede, which will launch at MGM Grand soon. 

MGM Vegas Casino Bonuses and Promotions

While the MGM Vegas Casino bonus offers aren’t quite as generous as online casino bonuses, there are still a few things to look forward to. 

The first is the MGM Rewards Slot Series tournament. You’ll need to get in touch with the customer support team to register, and then when you play slots at any MGM destination, you’ll earn unique Medallions, which could see you taking away your share of huge prize pots that can reach up to $200,000.

You can also earn special Gift Points based on your play, and these can be redeemed for jewellery, electronics, sporting goods, handbags, homeware, and free play.

Unfortunately, there is no MGM Vegas Casino welcome bonus for first-time players, but there is an MGM Vegas Casino rewards program, which we’ll detail in the next section. 

MGM Vegas Casino Loyalty Program

The loyalty program at the MGM Vegas Casino is called MGM Rewards, and the best part is that it spans multiple MGM properties, so you’re not restricted to just one place. 

MGM Rewards has five different tiers: Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, and Noir. You’ll climb the tiers based on points you accumulate by spending money at MGM properties, and the very top tier is by invitation only, so it’s super exclusive. 

Depending on your tier, you can look forward to a whole host of perks across gambling, dining, and accommodation. You’ll earn MGM rewards points when you play slots, video poker, video lottery terminals, and electronic table games at all MGM Rewards destinations.

There’s also the MGM Rewards Mastercard, which you can use for day-to-day purchases and earn rewards that can be redeemed at MGM properties. Other card benefits include automatic status upgrades and priority check-in at the hotels. 

Deposits and Withdrawals at MGM Vegas Casino

The primary payment method most players use to deposit money into slot machines or purchase chips at the MGM Vegas Casino is cash. But make sure you have enough money when you head to the cashier, as if you use the ATMs to withdraw, you’ll be hit with a hefty fee of about $10 per withdrawal.

In general, there’s no minimum deposit amount you can put into a slot machine, so your budget is totally up to you. If you start playing and want to top up your balance, you can always do so during your gaming session. If you’re playing table games like blackjack or craps, the minimum will depend on the specific table, but in general betting starts at about $15. 

If you have a win on slots, you’ll get a printed ticket, which you can then take to the cashier desk to swap for your cash prize. Remember to have your ID handy; the cashier must verify that you’re over 21. If you win more than $1,200 on a slot machine, you’ll get what’s known as a “hand pay”, where the attendant will come over and pay you out directly. 

MGM Vegas Casino Customer Support

MGM Vegas Casino customer support is world-class. They have a team of casino hosts and customer service professionals who are ready and waiting to assist you anytime.

If you need help before or after your visit, you can get in touch via phone at 877-228-2121. Casino hosts are also available on the floor at all times while you’re playing, or you can simply head over to the cashier’s desk for support.

The MGM Vegas Casino definitely has more pros than cons, but we need to tell you everything there is to know about it so you can decide for yourself whether or not to visit.

We’ve rounded up some of the positives and negatives of this land-based casino.

If you’re thinking of visiting, our MGM Vegas Casino review should have summarised everything you need to know about this casino property. 

The jury is still out on whether or not it’s worth staying at the MGM Grand, as some people say the rooms are a little dated, plus it’s a bit too far from all the action for some people’s liking. However, we are happy to say it’s well worth gambling in the MGM Vegas Casino, even if you’re not a hotel guest.

With over 2,500 pokies, including some huge multi-level progressive jackpots, and the top-rated poker room in Vegas, you can’t really go wrong here. If you’re visiting Vegas, stopping by the MGM casino is an absolute must.