MrBeast, known for his high-stakes challenges and philanthropy, filmed “Beast Games,” a new competition series in Las Vegas that reportedly features a $5 million prize. 

Vital Vegas reports that the production, involving 2,000 contestants vying for a spot among 1,000 finalists, encountered logistical challenges and raised concerns about participant safety and well-being.

According to the YouTuber’s representative, three medical issues occurred among the 2,000 participants. Two were unrelated to the production, while one involved dehydration. 

The representative states that water, electrolyte drinks, and an entire medical staff were available on-site, and all affected individuals have been released and are doing well.

However, conflicting reports have emerged. Vital Vegas says a hospital employee claims there were “three or four hospital evacs” during one day, describing the production as “unprepared for the scale” with inadequate on-site medical staff. 

A contestant alleges that prescribed medications were not distributed, food was denied to diabetics, and water was withheld from participants, resulting in at least two seizures.

The competition took place over three days and involved a series of challenges. 

The first challenge required teams of 400 to lift 10,000-pound weights using pulleys. The second involved contestants choosing briefcases, with 50 out of every 400 cases resulting in automatic elimination. Some cases contained $1,000 prizes along with elimination.

Multiple contestants report long waiting periods. Some were initially believed to be part of psychological endurance tests. Issues Vital Vegas cites include:

1. Production staff working shifts exceeding 24 hours
2. Confiscation of medications and personal items
3. Inadequate transportation for contestants
4. Limited access to food and water
5. Sleeping arrangements on the stadium floor

Questions about the fairness of the competition have also been raised, with reports that some contestants formed teams of primarily young, strong men, potentially disadvantaging older participants and women.

Vital Vegas says the production companies involved, including Amazon and MrBeast’s South Carolina-based company, appear to have underestimated the logistical challenges of managing such a large group of contestants.

Despite these issues, experiences vary widely among participants. Some report having a great time, while others describe difficult conditions and safety concerns.

The Las Vegas competition was intended for YouTube content and is separate from the planned Prime Video series. Filming concluded on July 20, 2024.