MGM Grand Detroit Names Ryan Bufalini Vice President of Marketing, Signals Focus on Player Loyalty and Video Poker Floor Experience

MGM Grand Detroit has appointed Ryan Bufalini as its new vice president of marketing, a move that places a veteran of Detroit-area player development and loyalty operations in charge of the property’s guest-facing strategy. The appointment, announced Thursday, September 10, 2026, puts a 25-year industry executive with deep roots in the local market at the helm of marketing, advertising, direct marketing, communications, and casino marketing functions including player development and player services.

For regular video poker players at MGM Grand Detroit, the appointment signals a continued emphasis on the in-person casino experience and the MGM Rewards program, both of which directly affect how video poker play is tracked, comped and rewarded.

Bufalini’s background and what it means for the floor

Bufalini began his gaming career in Detroit in 2000 and has since moved through leadership positions in player development, hotel operations and marketing. Most recently, he served as vice president of marketing for Hollywood Casino at Greektown, where he led the property’s transition to the Hollywood brand and oversaw marketing, loyalty, entertainment, public relations and VIP initiatives. During that period, he directed the integration of marketing technology, loyalty programs and digital gaming platforms.

In his new role at MGM Grand Detroit, Bufalini will oversee the property’s marketing organization and work closely with property and enterprise leadership to strengthen customer relationships. For video poker players, this means that the systems governing tier credits, comp dollars, point multipliers and tournament invitations fall under his purview. Player development teams, which handle direct outreach to high- and mid-level video poker players, will also report through his marketing structure.

Matt Buckley, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand Detroit, said in a statement that Bufalini’s “ability to build strong teams, create innovative marketing strategies and deliver meaningful business results will help us continue to provide exceptional experiences for our guests and MGM Rewards members.”

Why this matters for video poker players

Video poker has a distinct relationship with casino marketing. Unlike slot machines, where theoretical hold percentages vary widely, video poker games typically return between 97% and 99.5% with optimal play, making them a lower-margin product for the casino. As a result, video poker players are often managed more carefully through player development and targeted offers rather than broad slot-club promotions.

Bufalini’s background in player development suggests that MGM Grand Detroit may continue or refine this approach. His experience with loyalty-program integrations at Greektown, including technology transitions, indicates familiarity with the data systems that track game-level play, coin-in and theoretical loss — all factors that determine how a video poker player is rated and rewarded.

Michigan’s competitive Detroit market

The Detroit casino market includes three commercial properties: MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino Hotel and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Each competes for a share of the local and regional player base. MGM Grand Detroit has historically positioned itself as the largest and most amenity-rich property, with a hotel, multiple dining options and a full casino floor that includes dedicated video poker areas.

Bufalini’s appointment comes at a time when the Detroit market continues to stabilize after the post-pandemic recovery and the expansion of online gambling in Michigan. While online poker and casino games have grown, land-based video poker remains a draw for players who prefer the in-person experience, better pay tables and the social environment of a casino floor. A marketing leader with player-development experience may be better positioned to understand the needs of this segment than a general consumer-marketing executive.

Key facts

What to watch

Video poker players who frequent MGM Grand Detroit may want to watch for changes in how offers are structured, how tier credits are earned on video poker versus slots, and whether player development outreach becomes more proactive. Bufalini’s track record at Greektown includes leading brand and loyalty-program transitions, which often involve changes to how points are earned and redeemed.

It is not yet known whether Bufalini will make immediate changes to the MGM Rewards program or the video poker comp structure at MGM Grand Detroit. No specific announcements regarding game mix, pay tables or tournament schedules have been made in connection with this appointment.

Players who have direct relationships with MGM Grand Detroit’s player development team may hear about changes in the coming weeks as Bufalini settles into the role and reviews the property’s current marketing operations.

Source: CDC Gaming Reports – https://cdcgaming.com/michigan-mgm-grand-detroit-appoints-ryan-bufalini-vice-president-of-marketing/