Regulators probing Jordan son’s partying
August 30, 2010
LAS VEGAS (AP)—MGM Resorts International was under investigation after theunderage son of basketball great Michael Jordan bragged on Twitter aboutpartying at a Las Vegas Strip nightclub, Nevada gambling regulators said Monday.
Officials were examining whether the casino operator violated lawsprohibiting drinking or gambling by minors, Nevada Gaming Control Boardenforcement chief Jerry Markling said.
People under 21 often try to gamble or drink in Las Vegas, but punishmentfor casino operators depend on the circumstances, Markling said.
Jordan’s 19-year-old son Marcus Jordan tweeted Aug. 20 about spending$35,000 at Haze at Aria Resort & Casino.
“Last night was stupid… 35K at Haze,” the University of Central Floridasophomore guard said. “Totals 50K something the whole day.”
The tweet has since been removed from the site.
Jordan told a Fox Sports website last week that the tweet was a mistake andsaid he had conversations with both his parents about it.
“I didn’t mean it the way it came across,” he said. “My family andfriends know the type of person I am.”
Jordan was in Las Vegas for his dad’s fantasy basketball camp with hisbrother, Jeffrey, and teammate A.J. Rompza.
A video posted to Twitter by Jeffrey Jordan shows all three players hangingout at the Liquid Pool Lounge, the resort’s adults-only pool.
UCF basketball spokesman Doug Richards said the school had no comment.
MGM Resorts spokesman Alan Feldman declined comment. The Aria is thecenterpiece casino of CityCenter, the company’s joint venture with Dubai Worldthat cost $8.5 billion to build.
Markling said he could not comment specifically about the case. He said thecontrol board’s findings would not be made public.
Markling said punishments in general depend on the infraction’s scope, andcould involve verbal warnings, fines, or in extreme cases suspending anoperator’s gambling license.
Associated Press Writer Antonio Gonzalez in Orlando, Fla., and researcherBarbara Sambriski in New York contributed to this report.
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