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irisheyes
06-06-2016, 02:46 PM
:
With MGM buying out Borgota, will I still use my Borgta players card or will I use my M life card?
A:
Since the MGM Resorts International purchase of Boyd Gaming's half of Borgata isn't expected to close until the third quarter of 2016, we'd suggest that you hang onto your Borgata player's card at least that long. Once MGM takes full title to the property (of which it currently holds a passive 50 percent ownership), then it will be a different story. As MGM CEO Jim Murren said, in announcing the takeover, "We are excited about the opportunity to bring our market-leading loyalty program, M life Rewards, to the resort and integrate our operations, to position Borgata for further growth."
The impending change of ownership at Borgata is ironic indeed: As recently as two years ago, MGM's stake in the Borgata was being held in trust while it tried to find a taker for its half of the property. (Nobody came forward with a serious offer – or any offer of which we're aware.) When the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) made peace with MGM in September 2014, the company received the previously blocked revenues and resumed participation in the operations of the megaresort going forward, culminating in this week's blockbuster announcement.

One of the reasons that players will have to switch loyalty programs is that Boyd Gaming was the operator of Borgata, with MGM co-financing the property but otherwise just along for the ride. Now that MGM will be assuming operational responsibility, Boyd's Borgata Rewards – which had no relationship with Boyd's B Connected loyalty program – will be phased out and M life will ultimately replace it.

But how come MGM was trying to sell its Borgata share as recently as 2014? Therein hangs a tale, one that has nothing to do with Atlantic City. MGM Mirage, as it was then known, was trying to enter the Macao market – which dwarfs Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined -- slightly more than a decade ago and the easiest means of doing that was to purchase the sub-concession held by Stanley Ho's Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM). One of the conditions of obtaining SJM's sub-concession was taking on Stanley's daughter Pansy as a 50/50 partner, a position she purchased with money given to her by Dear Old Dad.

The problem with Stanley and Pansy Ho was that both were perceived to be mobbed up, connected to Chinese Triads – the elder Ho especially. A DGE investigation found that previous MGM CEO Terrence Lanni and two other company executives conspired to conceal many of their dealings with Stanley Ho from MGM's compliance committee. (Lanni had left the company by this time.) On the basis of this, and its conclusion that Pansy Ho was a 'beard' for her father, the DGE presented MGM with an ultimatum: It could retain its New Jersey gaming license or surrender it in favor of Macao. Given the money to be made in China, MGM chose the latter course of action.

That was in March 2010. MGM's half of Borgata sat in trust, along with some nearby land that the company owned but still has not developed. In time, events turned in MGM's favor. The bad actors in the Stanley Ho affair all had left or were forced out of the company, Pansy Ho sold down her MGM Macau holdings to 29 percent of the property and, frankly, New Jersey needed MGM back in the fold as a corporate citizen. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission pronounced MGM to be of good standing again and reinstated its gaming license.

While MGM will probably never go through with its plan for a new, standalone megaresort in Atlantic City, an idea abandoned during the Great Recession (and besides, it is much cheaper to buy an Atlantic City casino than to build one nowadays), it has been looking eastward considerably of late.

In addition to its Borgata coup, MGM is building a $950 million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, along with $1.3 billion MGM National Harbor, a resort that will sit in sight of Washington, D.C., just over the Maryland side of the border. And Murren has been aggressive in courting Georgia legislators, seeking to have the first casino in Atlanta. He didn't succeed in the latest legislative session but an LVA source tells us that once anti-gambling Gov. Nathan Deal is out of office, lawmakers will have a change of heart.

MGM has even been tipped as a bidder for one of two casino licenses that could be available in northern New Jersey, if a November referendum passes. However, by doubling down on Borgata, MGM has effectively quashed that speculation, at least for the near term.

In the meantime, MGM will have plenty to do in terms of integrating Borgata customers, player-tracking systems, management personnel, etc., into the new regime. So if you live near Atlantic City and have an M life card, it suddenly became a lot more useful.

Reen
06-06-2016, 03:38 PM
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/articles/QofDay2secure.cfm?QID=3921&Keywords=

Do you need to subscribe to this to read it?

DK528
06-06-2016, 07:53 PM
Also curious what was reported and it looks like I can't access. Margie, would you mind copying and pasting if it's not too much of a hassle?

I love borgata's comp program and am a little worried about it being reduced to MLife.


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irisheyes
06-06-2016, 08:37 PM
Do you need to subscribe to this to read it?

Yes, you do. Sorry.

irisheyes
06-06-2016, 08:38 PM
Also curious what was reported and it looks like I can't access. Margie, would you mind copying and pasting if it's not too much of a hassle?

I love borgata's comp program and am a little worried about it being reduced to MLife.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Let me get Al to sign in when he comes back and I will see what I can do.

DK528
06-06-2016, 08:49 PM
Let me get Al to sign in when he comes back and I will see what I can do.

Thanks or even a quick summary would be helpful for us non-subscriber :)


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dvandentop
06-06-2016, 09:00 PM
Copy and paste it in here otherwise take some pictures of the screen and post them

emmas
06-06-2016, 09:03 PM
I'm also curious as to what was reported.

irisheyes
06-06-2016, 10:42 PM
See if this works..
:
With MGM buying out Borgota, will I still use my Borgta players card or will I use my M life card?
A:
Since the MGM Resorts International purchase of Boyd Gaming's half of Borgata isn't expected to close until the third quarter of 2016, we'd suggest that you hang onto your Borgata player's card at least that long. Once MGM takes full title to the property (of which it currently holds a passive 50 percent ownership), then it will be a different story. As MGM CEO Jim Murren said, in announcing the takeover, "We are excited about the opportunity to bring our market-leading loyalty program, M life Rewards, to the resort and integrate our operations, to position Borgata for further growth."
The impending change of ownership at Borgata is ironic indeed: As recently as two years ago, MGM's stake in the Borgata was being held in trust while it tried to find a taker for its half of the property. (Nobody came forward with a serious offer – or any offer of which we're aware.) When the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) made peace with MGM in September 2014, the company received the previously blocked revenues and resumed participation in the operations of the megaresort going forward, culminating in this week's blockbuster announcement.

One of the reasons that players will have to switch loyalty programs is that Boyd Gaming was the operator of Borgata, with MGM co-financing the property but otherwise just along for the ride. Now that MGM will be assuming operational responsibility, Boyd's Borgata Rewards – which had no relationship with Boyd's B Connected loyalty program – will be phased out and M life will ultimately replace it.

But how come MGM was trying to sell its Borgata share as recently as 2014? Therein hangs a tale, one that has nothing to do with Atlantic City. MGM Mirage, as it was then known, was trying to enter the Macao market – which dwarfs Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined -- slightly more than a decade ago and the easiest means of doing that was to purchase the sub-concession held by Stanley Ho's Sociedade de Jogos de Macau (SJM). One of the conditions of obtaining SJM's sub-concession was taking on Stanley's daughter Pansy as a 50/50 partner, a position she purchased with money given to her by Dear Old Dad.

The problem with Stanley and Pansy Ho was that both were perceived to be mobbed up, connected to Chinese Triads – the elder Ho especially. A DGE investigation found that previous MGM CEO Terrence Lanni and two other company executives conspired to conceal many of their dealings with Stanley Ho from MGM's compliance committee. (Lanni had left the company by this time.) On the basis of this, and its conclusion that Pansy Ho was a 'beard' for her father, the DGE presented MGM with an ultimatum: It could retain its New Jersey gaming license or surrender it in favor of Macao. Given the money to be made in China, MGM chose the latter course of action.

That was in March 2010. MGM's half of Borgata sat in trust, along with some nearby land that the company owned but still has not developed. In time, events turned in MGM's favor. The bad actors in the Stanley Ho affair all had left or were forced out of the company, Pansy Ho sold down her MGM Macau holdings to 29 percent of the property and, frankly, New Jersey needed MGM back in the fold as a corporate citizen. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission pronounced MGM to be of good standing again and reinstated its gaming license.

While MGM will probably never go through with its plan for a new, standalone megaresort in Atlantic City, an idea abandoned during the Great Recession (and besides, it is much cheaper to buy an Atlantic City casino than to build one nowadays), it has been looking eastward considerably of late.

In addition to its Borgata coup, MGM is building a $950 million casino in Springfield, Massachusetts, along with $1.3 billion MGM National Harbor, a resort that will sit in sight of Washington, D.C., just over the Maryland side of the border. And Murren has been aggressive in courting Georgia legislators, seeking to have the first casino in Atlanta. He didn't succeed in the latest legislative session but an LVA source tells us that once anti-gambling Gov. Nathan Deal is out of office, lawmakers will have a change of heart.

MGM has even been tipped as a bidder for one of two casino licenses that could be available in northern New Jersey, if a November referendum passes. However, by doubling down on Borgata, MGM has effectively quashed that speculation, at least for the near term.

In the meantime, MGM will have plenty to do in terms of integrating Borgata customers, player-tracking systems, management personnel, etc., into the new regime. So if you live near Atlantic City and have an M life card, it suddenly became a lot more useful.

irisheyes
06-06-2016, 10:44 PM
Do you need to subscribe to this to read it?

Just copied and pasted.

dvandentop
06-06-2016, 10:45 PM
It all makes sense now that they were offering those Vegas trips to higher tier players

irisheyes
06-06-2016, 10:45 PM
Also curious what was reported and it looks like I can't access. Margie, would you mind copying and pasting if it's not too much of a hassle?

I love borgata's comp program and am a little worried about it being reduced to MLife.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just copied and pasted.

irisheyes
06-06-2016, 10:46 PM
It all makes sense now that they were offering those Vegas trips to higher tier players

Derek, that is exactly what Al said.

DK528
06-06-2016, 11:15 PM
Thanks very much. I'm definitely happy that it's mlife and not another Vegas players club bc I focus a lot of my Vegas time at mlife places. But, borgata's system is so much more generous.

I had approx $19.7k coin-in at Aria. Besides buffalo grand and lightning link, it was all non-specialty (I think). And I'm platinum so I get extra express comp and tier credit earnings by 30%. I earned approx $75 express comps and $75 in converted free play.

At borgata, for anyone, not just higher tiers, on any slot, with $19.7k in coin-in, that's $197 comp dollars and $98 slot dollars.

Yes I know I'm not supposed to play for comps. But I take it into account as to where to play with my BR. And having to deal with specialty slots will be a consideration if they decide to adopt it at Borgata.

And finally I love the amphora lounge. I hope mlife/MGM keeps it :)


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Reen
06-07-2016, 12:05 AM
Just copied and pasted.


Thank you Margie! Going to read it now, hope this is not bad news for us red card people!

CTslotters
06-07-2016, 12:10 AM
irisheyes, thanks so much for posting this! DK528, We actually think borgata has had some of their slots calculate the comps at a different rate recently, we've noticed points seem to be earned much more slowly at some slots (ex. Game of thrones, wonder four jackpots) than they are at others (playtime and betsize being equal).
I'm surprised to read the changes are coming so quickly 3Q2016 is right around the corner!

CPT
06-07-2016, 12:16 AM
I've earned $39 in comps this year and I am still getting Sun-Thursday rooms, giveaways, etc. Something tells me that is going to be thing of the past.

http://www.relatably.com/m/img/sad-memes-about-love/Crying-Cat-Meme-06.jpg

emmas
06-07-2016, 01:00 AM
Margie, thanks for the article. I knew most of the stuff about MGM/Macau, but still an interesting read. Yes, like most, I like the way the Borgata operates and I am apprehensive about any changes.

Pat
06-07-2016, 01:06 AM
It all makes sense now that they were offering those Vegas trips to higher tier players

But when I contacted Borgata when I was trying to make reservations for the AC M&G, they told me no. They would still have to rate my play, and my comps could not be used there.

DK528
06-07-2016, 01:09 AM
Interesting CTslotters -- maybe I trust Borgata too much! Regardless, I think comps accrue at a much higher rate.

I'm curious too at the different types of program. I can log into Borgata now and have monthly calendars with free rooms every week -- mLife it's an offer that's available once during a 3-month period. I figure that will have to change with a market like AC.

dvandentop
06-07-2016, 01:45 AM
But when I contacted Borgata when I was trying to make reservations for the AC M&G, they told me no. They would still have to rate my play, and my comps could not be used there.
Probably due to boyd the current owners have no incentive to match anything due to bowing out of the game soon for ac market. while mlife wants to lure in players to get them to various destinations rather then just ac alone.

LowAndSlow
06-07-2016, 01:51 AM
I definitely think Borgata's current rewards program is more generous than any other I've seen. I'm a super low roller, but they really don't make me feel like a second-class citizen. I'll never achieve Black Card status, but at Borgata I feel I have a chance to show them loyalty in exchange for "something." I've filled out so many surveys and been called to elaborate on my responses a bunch of times by MoSun and no matter how directly I explain the difference between them and Borgata, nothing ever changes. I finally gave up and don't bother answering them anymore. :( And I'm sad to think that this will all change soon at Borgata.

Reen
06-07-2016, 02:44 AM
I definitely think Borgata's current rewards program is more generous than any other I've seen. I'm a super low roller, but they really don't make me feel like a second-class citizen. I'll never achieve Black Card status, but at Borgata I feel I have a chance to show them loyalty in exchange for "something." I've filled out so many surveys and been called to elaborate on my responses a bunch of times by MoSun and no matter how directly I explain the difference between them and Borgata, nothing ever changes. I finally gave up and don't bother answering them anymore. :( And I'm sad to think that this will all change soon at Borgata.

I'm also a low roller regular at the Borgata. Our past trip I did feel like a second class citizen, when checking in on a Wednesday we were told no King size beds available. Found it very strange because it was not busy for a Wednesday crowd. Complained the next day about bed very uncomfortable only to be switched to same type room. Also spoke to someone I know that works there she said upper management are worried about their positions with change. I also found machines were very tight, nothing was hitting. Also felt for the comps we earned seem lower than normal. Hoping things work out because we really love the Borgata!

phillycub
06-07-2016, 04:17 AM
I'm also a low roller regular at the Borgata. Our past trip I did feel like a second class citizen, when checking in on a Wednesday we were told no King size beds available. Found it very strange because it was not busy for a Wednesday crowd. Complained the next day about bed very uncomfortable only to be switched to same type room. Also spoke to someone I know that works there she said upper management are worried about their positions with change. I also found machines were very tight, nothing was hitting. Also felt for the comps we earned seem lower than normal. Hoping things work out because we really love the Borgata!

Reen, I can see why people like the Borgata. Frankly, I rather go to the Taj or somewhere on the Boardwalk. Taj has always treated me well with my level of play. We are lucky to get $20 in FP from Borgata and a comp room on select Sundays-Thursdays. I have absolutely no interest in making black label with them. Their slot floor is nice, but the staff in general seemed to be uppity and I don't roll with people like that. I keep it real. Be nice to me, I'll be nice to you.

irisheyes
06-07-2016, 11:58 AM
Thanks very much. I'm definitely happy that it's mlife and not another Vegas players club bc I focus a lot of my Vegas time at mlife places. But, borgata's system is so much more generous.

I had approx $19.7k coin-in at Aria. Besides buffalo grand and lightning link, it was all non-specialty (I think). And I'm platinum so I get extra express comp and tier credit earnings by 30%. I earned approx $75 express comps and $75 in converted free play.

At borgata, for anyone, not just higher tiers, on any slot, with $19.7k in coin-in, that's $197 comp dollars and $98 slot dollars.

Yes I know I'm not supposed to play for comps. But I take it into account as to where to play with my BR. And having to deal with specialty slots will be a consideration if they decide to adopt it at Borgata.

And finally I love the amphora lounge. I hope mlife/MGM keeps it :)


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Dina, do any of the MLife properties have anything comparable to the Amphora Lounge?

DK528
06-07-2016, 01:17 PM
Dina, do any of the MLife properties have anything comparable to the Amphora Lounge?

I don't think so. Mlife properties don't have lounges comparable to diamond lounges as far as I know. A couple of the properties (Aria and Bellagio) have VIP check-in areas with snacks and drinks (and possibly alcohol) but not a sit down meal/buffet experience.

I really hope they'll be smart enough to keep amphora! Maybe they'll do a limited time card match program so that if you have a black cars you can match to platinum and the lounge could be for platinum and higher?

Also I may want to take advantage of the fly borgata offer sooner rather than later. Who knows if MGM will keep those ....


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Reen
06-07-2016, 01:42 PM
Reen, I can see why people like the Borgata. Frankly, I rather go to the Taj or somewhere on the Boardwalk. Taj has always treated me well with my level of play. We are lucky to get $20 in FP from Borgata and a comp room on select Sundays-Thursdays. I have absolutely no interest in making black label with them. Their slot floor is nice, but the staff in general seemed to be uppity and I don't roll with people like that. I keep it real. Be nice to me, I'll be nice to you.

Thinking about giving Harrahs some play, we have free room offers now from our recent Vegas trip. We like to play video poker and I heard they have a lot of machines there. My sister is a Harrahs regular and gets great offers from them. We were black label for a couple of years but just can't keep up that pace. The staff at the borgata seem uppity, but a have come across a lot of them that are very helpful and friendly and chat with some of the same people when I'm there. Looking forward to meeting you in July.

foamy
06-07-2016, 02:59 PM
Thinking about giving Harrahs some play, we have free room offers now from our recent Vegas trip. We like to play video poker and I heard they have a lot of machines there. My sister is a Harrahs regular and gets great offers from them. We were black label for a couple of years but just can't keep up that pace. The staff at the borgata seem uppity, but a have come across a lot of them that are very helpful and friendly and chat with some of the same people when I'm there. Looking forward to meeting you in July.

I would get diamond at Harrahs and they will upgrade you to black label. It only takes 37500 to get diamond if you get 1000 tier you get 1000 bonus if you get 2500 you get 5000 bonus so if you did that it would take 25k.

irisheyes
06-07-2016, 03:03 PM
I don't think so. Mlife properties don't have lounges comparable to diamond lounges as far as I know. A couple of the properties (Aria and Bellagio) have VIP check-in areas with snacks and drinks (and possibly alcohol) but not a sit down meal/buffet experience.

I really hope they'll be smart enough to keep amphora! Maybe they'll do a limited time card match program so that if you have a black cars you can match to platinum and the lounge could be for platinum and higher?

Also I may want to take advantage of the fly borgata offer sooner rather than later. Who knows if MGM will keep those ....


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I agree!

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Reen
06-07-2016, 03:16 PM
I would get diamond at Harrahs and they will upgrade you to black label. It only takes 37500 to get diamond if you get 1000 tier you get 1000 bonus if you get 2500 you get 5000 bonus so if you did that it would take 25k.

Sounds like a good idea foamy. I'm interested in checking out there video poker section especially. A lot of people like the vp there. Also thought about doing the founders card thing might be worth it or cheaper in the end lol!

emmas
06-07-2016, 05:44 PM
I don't think so. Mlife properties don't have lounges comparable to diamond lounges as far as I know. A couple of the properties (Aria and Bellagio) have VIP check-in areas with snacks and drinks (and possibly alcohol) but not a sit down meal/buffet experience.

I really hope they'll be smart enough to keep amphora! Maybe they'll do a limited time card match program so that if you have a black cars you can match to platinum and the lounge could be for platinum and higher?

Also I may want to take advantage of the fly borgata offer sooner rather than later. Who knows if MGM will keep those ....


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Dina, for the past year Borgata has been allowing Mlife gold to upgrade to the black card. So, matching platinum or higher would be a cut back.

Wonder if the TR diamond match would continue?

CPT
06-07-2016, 09:09 PM
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160607/9ec5ba26502d84624bb172d9e9a6ce21.jpg

And a birthday free play offer, that's nice. Hope MGM feels the same about little ole me!!


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DK528
06-07-2016, 09:11 PM
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160607/9ec5ba26502d84624bb172d9e9a6ce21.jpg

And a birthday free play offer, that's nice. Hope MGM feels the same about little ole me!!


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They did for me - and I got to take advantage of it while I was there last week. Surprisingly the same amount as borgata's birthday FP!


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irisheyes
06-07-2016, 09:16 PM
Dina, for the past year Borgata has been allowing Mlife gold to upgrade to the black card. So, matching platinum or higher would be a cut back.

Wonder if the TR diamond match would continue?

Hope so.....they would even upgrade to black with a Taj Chairman's card.

irisheyes
06-07-2016, 09:17 PM
They did for me - and I got to take advantage of it while I was there last week. Surprisingly the same amount as borgata's birthday FP!


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My sister is waiting to see if she gets her usual June 11 birthday cake from them. Has been delivered to here for the past few years.

DK528
06-07-2016, 09:29 PM
My sister is waiting to see if she gets her usual June 11 birthday cake from them. Has been delivered to here for the past few years.

Mine was delivered on 5/27 - the day before my birthday. I got the notification at the airport on my way to Vegas. So I had to toss it when I got home on 6/2 :(


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TwoArmedBandito
06-07-2016, 10:42 PM
Mine was delivered on 5/27 - the day before my birthday. I got the notification at the airport on my way to Vegas. So I had to toss it when I got home on 6/2 :(


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Wasted cake. So sad.

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BorgataBabe
06-07-2016, 11:04 PM
I was considering going back to the Borgata, with all of this happening I think I'll stick with the Nugget until we all see what happens when mLife takes over. I hope they don't remove the Racebook and the bar in there, we still go and hang out there even when we stay at the GN.


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DK528
06-08-2016, 12:23 AM
Wasted cake. So sad.

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I know. I thought about calling one of the doormen and telling him to help himself. But Vegas distracted me.


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CPT
06-09-2016, 09:08 AM
Get your new Mlife MasterCard! (https://www.mlife.com/en/overview/mlife-rewards-mastercard.html)

If it lets you butt the lines at the buffet, I'm in! :joyous:

zeus
06-09-2016, 09:26 AM
Get your new Mlife MasterCard! (https://www.mlife.com/en/overview/mlife-rewards-mastercard.html)

If it lets you butt the lines at the buffet, I'm in! :joyous:
You could really rack up the points for free play or resort credits with this card. And no annual fee. Might have to check in to this one.

CPT
06-09-2016, 09:53 AM
You could really rack up the points for free play or resort credits with this card. And no annual fee. Might have to check in to this one.

If I can use it at the Borgata, I'd be all in! I use my Amex for everything now where $7500 = $100 in travel credits. I've cashed in $200 so far this year, but gimme some free play and I'm there! Haha