MGM Mirage Capitalizing on Americans with Disabilities Act

MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), the 2nd-largest casino operator in the world with total revenue of over $7 billion in 2006, has agreed to accept a small fine and several provisions that will help them make their casinos more accessible to guests with special needs.

The new policy will allow them to better comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The casino company also stands to increase sales by offering their services and games to a wider demographic.

If there is better accessibility to casino games for the handicapped and disabled, then there will be more revenue-generating opportunities for the company.

At a news conference on Wednesday, assistant US attorney for civil rights Wan J. Kim cited Labor Department estimates that 50 million disabled Americans have $175 billion in discretionary spending.

According to Kim, "This is one of those situations where good law is good business."

"I think all casinos, all resorts, should take a hard look to see if they are compliant," Kim said, underscoring a message to other hoteliers.

Shareholders of MGM have applauded the move and see this as a possible boost to the share price, which has been lagging as of recent. The settlement announced Wednesday sprouted from a patron's complaint that he fell in a shower in a Mississippi hotel because he could not reach the shower controls.


May 3, 2007
Posted By Susan Torres
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!