MGM Resorts International is being sued by Maryland Live Casino over lists of high-rollers, which were allegedly provided to MGM by several former employees of the Maryland casino, according to The Daily Record.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Baltimore last week, Maryland Live Casino alleges that three of its former employees encroached on its property, most notably, lists containing the names and contact information of at least 3,000 high rollers who belong to the casino’s player reward system, while they worked as members of its “relationship marketing team,” according to the report.
The Hanover, Maryland casino operator claims that “hundreds of files” associated with its VIP clients were unlawfully downloaded by the three former employees. According to the lawsuit, after the discovery was made that the employees were sharing the lists, they each signed documents stating that all copies of the lists had either been returned to Maryland Live or were destroyed and that they would not work for any casino within a 75-mile radius for a period of one year. The three then took jobs with MGM, according to the news agency.
The court has been asked by Maryland Live that it order an “independent forensics analysis’ of its three former employee’s computers and mobile phones so that the true extent of the alleged pilfering may be ascertained. The casino says the three violated confidentiality and non-compete employee agreements. MGM, which is slated to open its $1.3 billion MGM National Harbor before the year’s end, is calling the lawsuit “baseless.”
Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, Maryland’s sixth and final gaming venue, MGM National Harbor, will offer Las Vegas-style entertainment and will look to lure visitors from nearby Washington, D.C. and, Virginia. However, the mega-casino resort poses the biggest threat to the Maryland Live Casino. Expecting stiff competition from MGM’s casino in Prince George’s County, in an effort to retain its market share the state’s leading casino operator is investing $200 million to expand its operations. Maryland Live’s expansion plans include the addition of a 17-storey hotel and conference center, as well as a 1,500 concert theatre, day spa, and new dining options.