Online rumors said UNO was debuting in Vegas. Here’s the real story

Rumors have been swirling online that UNO, the popular card game created by Mattel, would be making its debut on the casino floors in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, Mattel has stepped in to set the record straight.

“We hate to be the bearers of bad news but the casino floor isn’t ready for us yet,” the company said on Instagram, Tuesday, July 15. “We’ve been told that while they do have tight security, it’s not robust enough for UNO at this time.”

Despite the casino floor being off limits for now, Mattel and Palms Casino Resort are indeed bringing UNO to Las Vegas, but in a different format: the first-ever UNO Social Club.

In mid-may the two companies launched a competition offering a free stay at the resort for a winner and their guest, who can enjoy the exclusive club from Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20. The contest for this event closed on June 19.

Players will be able to enjoy a variety of different versions of the game along with a game host to shuffle the decks. Mattel clarified in a statement to USA Today that money won’t be at stake within the social club.

“We created UNO Social Clubs to reimagine what game night can be — bringing people together for real-world fun, connection, and a bit of friendly competition,” Ray Adler, vice president and global head of games at Mattel said in a statement. “The UNO Social Club in Las Vegas is just the beginning, and we’re excited to see how these new experiences inspire players to show up, play hard, and make unforgettable memories.”

The news from Mattel and Palms Casino Resort sparked a lot of excitement but also confusion, particularly regarding the distinction between a social club and a traditional casino floor offering.

For instance, Draftkings Casino, a branch of the sports betting company, originally posted on X that UNO would be added as a game table in Las Vegas, but a day later they issued a correction.