Cisco, MGM Reach Wide-Ranging Technology Agreement
- 18 Nov 2024
- Gambling News
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) today revealed a broad technology partnership that allows the casino operator to utilize a significant portion of Cisco’s software offerings, including solutions designed to improve customer experiences.
The firms stated that the agreement covers 5.5 years. The financial terms were not revealed. The whole portfolio agreement (WPA) strengthens the enduring partnership between Cisco and MGM and may support the gaming operator’s initiatives to improve automation at its integrated resorts.
"The agreement will enable the automation of MGM Resort’s network. This will pave the way for future location services and next-generation machine learning applications in the gaming and hospitality industry, unlocking new channels of guest engagement,” according to a statement.
The agreement will also aid MGM in achieving its sustainability objectives, such as lowering carbon emissions — a key focus for the leading operator on the Las Vegas Strip.
A Brief Reference to Cybersecurity
In September 2023, a band of malicious hackers briefly disrupted MGM’s U.S. operations, leading to a $100 million reduction in its third-quarter 2023 earnings and an additional $10 million in one-time costs.
After that incident, certain cybersecurity specialists alleged that MGM had longstanding cyber weaknesses that could have attracted malicious actors. The gaming firm has focused on strengthening its cyber defenses; however, cybersecurity was only briefly referenced in the press release about the Cisco agreement.
“This includes cybersecurity, software defined networking, software defined-WAN, digital experience assurance, full-stack observability, data center and services,” according to the statement.
Cisco, located in California, is a leading supplier of cybersecurity solutions and services, featuring offerings that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology. Due to the vast nature of the agreement, MGM may gain access to Cisco’s newest cybersecurity solutions, allowing the gaming company to strengthen its defenses and protect against future threats.
Increased Automation Might Be Coming to MGM
A central theme highlighted in the Cisco/MGM statement is that the expanded agreement offers the gaming company access to technology to enhance its automation initiatives, though the companies did not provide details.
On the customer-oriented aspect of the business, several casino operators are presently utilizing automation for functions like hotel check-in and reservations for dining and entertainment. In numerous sectors, such as leisure and hospitality, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) have been utilized to enhance efficiency and lower costs in essential yet routine back-office functions.
Casino operators are expected to increasingly adopt AI tailored for the gaming sector in the future, driven by various factors. Advanced language learning models (LLMs) are currently utilized at several gaming establishments, assisting in detecting cheats and dishonest gameplay. Furthermore, AI can offer operators insights into the betting behaviors of slot players and the types of content they respond to most.
