MGM Eyes Buying Company That Offers Live Dealers for Online Play

MGM Resorts International is close to a couple of acquisitions in online gambling — including one that provides live dealers.

“We are on the heels of a deal,” Chief Executive Officer Bill Hornbuckle said Tuesday on a call with investors after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter sales and earnings. “We’ve talked about and had a vision of broadcasting live games from Las Vegas to the rest of the world.”

Live dealer games, in which humans deal cards in real time to online players, have become a popular online activity. Providers such as Sweden’s Evolution AB have built billion-dollar businesses with that specialty. ...