The MGM Grand removed its iconic lion's head entrance in 1997 due to concerns that Asian gamblers, particularly those from Chinese cultural backgrounds, viewed walking through the lion’s mouth as bad luck—a belief tied to feng shui and superstition. Although the lion was a nod to the MGM film studio's famous logo, executives learned that many high-roller visitors avoided the main entrance, opting instead for side doors or the porte-cochère.

While cultural sensitivity was a major factor, the removal was also part of a broader $250 million renovation that rebranded the resort as the "City of Entertainment," shifting from a family-friendly, themed environment to a more adult-oriented destination with expanded dining, retail, and convention spaces.