MGM Grand Macau opens its doors

2007-12-19 12:40:19

A new $1.25 billion casino been opened in Macau this week by gaming giant MGM Mirage, it has been reported.

It is the company's first step into the lucrative Chinese gambling destination, which currently outranks Las Vegas as the biggest casino area in the world.

The Associated Press quoted company spokesperson Terry Lanni as saying: "We at MGM like to do things in a grand way and we're going to be in Macau for many decades to come."

MGM joins fellow US companies such as Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands, which already have a presence in the region.

The MGM Grand venture is a joint project between the Las Vegas-based company and Pansy Ho, the daughter of the former dominant force in Macau Stanley Ho.

During the planning stages for the casino resort, Wynn Macau announced that it was to expand its operation, which was quickly followed by MGM Mirage saying it would do the same thing.