【澳門日報消息】本澳第五家博彩公司“美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司”的首個投資項目“美高梅金殿”今日動土。



美國美高梅集團總裁、美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司主席泰利· 蘭尼(Terry Lanni)今日凌晨來澳，與美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司董事總經理何超瓊共同主持動土儀式。經濟財政司司長譚伯源、中聯辦副主任何曉衛將應邀出席主禮。



“美高梅金殿”座落於新口岸新塡海區東南角，即永利度假村後面。總建築面積達二百萬平方呎。酒店共提供六百個套房，附設的賭場將開設三百張賭檯、一千臺角子機，以及相關的娛樂消閒及餐飮設施。總投資額達七十八億澳門元（九億七千五百萬美元），由何超瓊與美高梅集團各投資一半。



工作人員近日在地盤範圍佈置動土儀式場地。模型顯示，“美高梅金殿”如同旁邊的永利度假村及拉城的賭場酒店，有佔地廣闊的平臺，上面為酒店塔樓。酒店幕牆金銀雙色相間。



在南灣湖畔還將有多幢建築物，猶如一道屛障。一如拉城的“美高梅金殿”，澳門的“美高梅金殿”前將放置美高梅集團的標誌物：一頭金獅塑像。



美高梅夢幻是國際賭業巨擘，曾競投澳門賭牌，惜鎩羽而歸。後與澳門“賭王”何鴻燊千金何超瓊合組公司，並與澳博成功簽署轉批給合約而取得經營權。轉批給為期十八年，隨澳博的經營權終結而結束。

However, they don't have the picture of the model on the website of that newspaper. I want to know what it looks like

video
mms://202.175.80.18/tdmvideo/01/n5b.asf

【澳門日報消息】本澳第五家博彩公司“美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司”的首個投資項目“美高梅金殿”今日動土。

美國美高梅集團總裁、美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司主席泰利· 蘭尼(Terry Lanni)今日凌晨來澳，與美高梅金殿超濠股份有限公司董事總經理何超瓊共同主持動土儀式。經濟財政司司長譚伯源、中聯辦副主任何曉衛將應邀出席主禮。
“美高梅金殿”座落於新口岸新塡海區東南角，即永利度假村後面。總建築面積達二百萬平方呎。酒店共提供六百個套房，附設的賭場將開設三百張賭檯、一千臺角子機，以及相關的娛樂消閒及餐飮設施。總投資額達七十八億澳門元（九億七千五百萬美元），由何超瓊與美高梅集團各投資一半。
工作人員近日在地盤範圍佈置動土儀式場地。模型顯示，“美高梅金殿”如同旁邊的永利度假村及拉城的賭場酒店，有佔地廣闊的平臺，上面為酒店塔樓。酒店幕牆金銀雙色相間。
在南灣湖畔還將有多幢建築物，猶如一道屛障。一如拉城的“美高梅金殿”，澳門的“美高梅金殿”前將放置美高梅集團的標誌物：一頭金獅塑像。
美高梅夢幻是國際賭業巨擘，曾競投澳門賭牌，惜鎩羽而歸。後與澳門“賭王”何鴻燊千金何超瓊合組公司，並與澳博成功簽署轉批給合約而取得經營權。轉批給為期十八年，隨澳博的經營權終結而結束。

However, they don't have the picture of the model on the website of that newspaper. I want to know what it looks like

http://www.guiaworld.com/image/macau/MGM%20Grand%2001.jpg
from: TDM
http://www.guiaworld.com/image/macau/MGM%20Grand%2004.jpg
from: Macao Daily
http://www.guiaworld.com/image/macau/MGM%20Grand%2005.jpg
from: Sing Pao

How tall is it?

How tall is it?

about, 131m

Dr. Ho said that he has another major projecting coming up and he will announce it shortly. Wow~~!

Dr. Ho said that he has another major projecting coming up and he will announce it shortly. Wow~~!

Is which item?

Nan Van Lot12
Chinese-Western Culture Villages
Nan Van Lake Development Item
Nova Taipa Gardens
Baia de Nossa Senhora de Esperanca

It didn't say which one the article but he will anounce it next month

Is which item?

Nan Van Lot12
Chinese-Western Culture Villages
Nan Van Lake Development Item
Nova Taipa Gardens
Baia de Nossa Senhora de Esperanca

I only heard of Nam Van Lake Development, the project is going to under construction soon with office buildings, hotels and apartments near the Macau Tower

Are you guys from Macau? :)

Mirage will likely make more money in Macau through its partnership with Pansy Ho than it would have made entering the market on its own, says chairman and chief executive Terry Lanni.

"It was probably a blessing in disguise'' that Macau passed over MGM Mirage's bid for a gaming concession three years ago in favor of Wynn Resorts, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau and Galaxy Casino, Lanni said Thursday while singing the praises of tycoon Stanley Ho's daughter.

Lanni called the combination of MGM Mirage's casino development and management experience with Pansy Ho's regional real-estate and tourism knowledge a "perfect marriage.'' Ho is managing director of Hong Kong-listed Shun Tak Holdings.

Pansy Ho and Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage are 50-50 partners in MGM Grand Paradise, which will invest US$975 million (HK$7.6 billion) for subconcession rights from SJM, headed by Stanley Ho, and to develop its first casino resort, the MGM Grand Macau. MGM Mirage is putting up US$280 million for its half of the venture. Pansy Ho invested US$80 million.

Lanni was in Macau to break ground on the MGM Grand, which he expects to open in late 2007. That will be more than three years after United States rival Las Vegas Sands, originally a member of the Galaxy Casino bidding group, entered the market with its landmark Sands Macau casino.

But MGM Mirage's late arrival will allow it to fine-tune its casino resort to evolving market demands, said Lanni. ``It's a very dynamic, changing market.''

Current plans call for the casino to include a 50,000-square-foot unfinished area on its first floor. This could be used for VIP rooms, public gaming tables or slot machines, depending on how the market is moving.

As it stands, the casino will include 300 tables and 1,000 slot machines. Lanni said the number of VIP rooms will be set later, but many of them will be connectable to create bigger gaming suites for high-roller groups. ``There's going to be a lot of flexibility,'' he said.

Lanni said the president/chief operating officer of the MGM Grand Macau is likely to be an executive from an existing MGM Mirage casino. He expects most top posts to be filled in the next three months.

The project's wavy 28-floor hotel tower is intended to invoke ``the rolling swell of the ocean surf,'' according to the partners. Its bottom tier will hold the resort's standard guestrooms, with suites going in the middle tier and the top tier reserved for what are called villas in Las Vegas, essentially huge luxury apartments. The hotel will have 600 total rooms among the different classes.

The unusual design was created by the collaboration of local firms Wong & Tung International and Eddie Wong & Associates, which designed the Macau Dome, along with YWS Architects of Las Vegas. Hip Hing Construction, part of Hong Kong-listed NWS Holdings, will be the lead contractor for the project.

Though investors in both Hong Kong and the United States have cooled on Macau gaming-linked shares on worries that casino capacity growth is outpacing demand, Lanni said Macau can operate under the same dynamic as Las Vegas in which new projects induce new demand.

``Macau has only scratched the surface,'' he said. In particular, Lanni has his eye on building a bigger resort in a new reclamation area he expects to be developed off Taipa island.

MGM Mirage and its partner Pansy Ho, daughter of Hong Kong gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, yesterday signalled plans for a possible expansion of a US$1bn casino joint venture in Macao, despite suggestions that the former Portuguese colony may be in the throes of an unsustainable gaming bubble.

"We are making preparations towards looking into our future expansion but there is nothing fixed," Ms Ho said as MGM Grand Macao, 50:50 owned by MGM Mirage and Ms Ho, began construction of a casino with 300 gaming tables and a 600-room resort hotel.

Ms Ho said the venture was close to securing a US$600m syndicated loan from a consortium of investment banks to help fund the US$975m project.

MGM Grand Macao's project is the latest in a string of gambling investments in Macao, the only part of China where gaming is legal. Gaming revenues in the tiny enclave rose 44 per cent to US$5bn last year, mainly on the back of spending by tourists from the mainland.

Las Vegas Sands, owner of the Venetian casino in Macao, announced plans in March for a US$12bn-US$15bn project that aims to turn Cotai, a reclaimed area in the territory, into Asia's Las Vegas within 10 years.

Melco, a Hong Kong company controlled by Mr Ho, unveiled a HK$8bn project for the same area in May, to be built in partnership with Kerry Packer, Australia's richest man. Mr Ho said yesterday that Melco would announce another project in Cotai next month. Wynn Resorts is also investing more than US$1bn in Macao.

However, some analysts have started to question whether the growth in gaming revenue is sustainable after Las Vegas Sands reported worse than expected first-quarter results recently. Tourism growth in Macao also slowed from 40 per cent last year to 19 per cent in the first three months of 2005.

Andes Cheng, analyst at Hong Kong's South China Finance and Management, said he expected the number of casinos to rise from 15 in 2004 to 28 in 2009. Gaming tables are expected to surge from 1,092 last year to more than 4,500 by then.

"The growth in tourist arrival is set to drop but the number of gaming tables is still growing very rapidly. That's why oversupply is a big concern among investors now," Mr Cheng said.

No i am from HK

No i am from HK

Me too, I was born in HK,
but my family come from Macau :)

I used to think that you two are both from Macau .. :)

HONG KONG: MGM Mirage is looking for more projects in Macau as it prepares to build a US$975mil casino hotel in the only place in China where casino gambling is legal, said chairman Terrence Lanni.

“We definitely want to build more than one casino in Macau,” Lanni said.

MGM and partner Pansy Ho will open the MGM Grand Macau in mid-2007. The 600-room casino hotel will be sited next to another being built by Las Vegas gambling operator Steve Wynn and near the Lisboa hotel casino, owned by billionaire Stanley Ho, Pansy’s father.

Macau, which scrapped Stanley Ho’s four-decade long gambling monopoly in 2002, beat Atlantic City last year to become the world’s second largest gaming market, helped by a 42% surge in visitors, mostly from China.

“With the anticipated performance in Macau in the next five to 10 years, it’s not a question of whether the operators may be over-investing, but rather are they possibly under-investing,” said Jonathan Galaviz, a partner at Las Vegas-based Galaviz, Ong & Co, which tracks the gaming industry.

Macau's economy last year expanded by a record 28%, more than three times of that nearby Hong Kong. Macau’s economy totalled 82.7 billion patacas (US$10.3bil), with gambling expenditures contributing half.

Las Vegas Sands Corp chief executive Sheldon Adelson and Regal Hotels International Holdings Ltd are building the Venetian Macau, Adelson's second casino in Macau and bigger than his US$240mil Sands Macau that opened in May 2004 in downtown.

Wynn Resorts Ltd, the casino company headed by Wynn, last month added a US$345mil wing to plans for its casino in Macau due to open next year.

Stanley Ho, who operates 13 of 15 casinos in Macau, said he planned next month to announce another project, to be located on Cotai, a stretch of reclaimed land on which Adelson seeks to develop a US$12bil Vegas-themed gambling strip.

Pansy Ho said MGM Grand Macau would be financed partly by a US$600mil syndicated loan.

but i think it is too big for a building near the coast.
It blocks the view and ventilation.

RTHK News:
MGM Mirage secures $700million loan for Macau venture
2006-02-09 HKT 22:02

The world's second-largest casino owner, MGM Mirage, has secured a 700-million dollar loan to fund its first operation in Macau. This brings the firm a step closer to the opening of a casino and hotel resort in the gambling enclave planned for second half of next year. The venture is a partnership with the daughter of tycoon Stanley Ho, Pansy Ho. The Las Vegas-based company hired eight banks to arrange the loan and they will soon invite other lenders to join the loan, which is for five and seven years.

Another F***ing USA Casino in Macau. I hope they cannot triumph.
Uncle Stanley, I'm UP with you!

Another F***ing USA Casino in Macau. I hope they cannot triumph.
Uncle Stanley, I'm UP with you!

Relax!!! Its a joint venture which means Stanley gets some share of the revenue. Anyways, building big name casinos will definately draw for tourism confidence from people overseas. Its a win-win situation for Macau anyways...

It's not Uncle Stanley but his daughter Pansey "Crazy" Ho. ;)
Is MGM the Casino of Ocean's 11 movie, isn't it?

MGM Mirage plans a second Macau casino resort and may pursue additional projects in the Chinese gambling enclave, Chief Executive Terry Lanni said on Tuesday at the Reuters Hotels and Casinos Summit 2007.

MGM plans to open its first Macau property, - MGM Grand Macau - in the fourth quarter on a 10.5-acre piece of land where most of the casinos in Macau are located. The second site announced on Tuesday is slightly larger and is in the Cotai Strip area, where Las Vegas Sands and others are building a Las Vegas-style strip.

Both the new Macau projects are owned by MGM Grand Paradise, a joint venture between MGM and Pansy Ho Chiu-king, who is also managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, a Hong Kong conglomerate involved in shipping, property, hotels and investments.

“I don’t think we should stop at two … I think there will be further opportunities,” Lanni said of Macau. MGM Grand Paradise said it has been engaged in discussions with the Macau government regarding the project and intends to submit plans for it later this year.

The 50-50 joint venture is building its first casino resort, the MGM Grand Macau, on a waterfront site on the Macau peninsula at a cost of about $1.1 billion. That resort is slated to have about 600 rooms, suites and villas, 345 table games and 1,035 slot machines. It is set to open by the end of this year.

The joint venture did not give any details when the second development might open.

Lanni said Nevada and New Jersey gambling regulators, which have yet to approve the partnership with Pansy Ho, will hold hearings on the issue in February and March.

“Ultimately, we expect the approval to be granted and believe MGM will be a strong competitor in Macau,” CIBC World Markets analyst David Katz said in a research note on Tuesday.

Chinese gambling revenue in Macau has already topped that of the Las Vegas Strip and is expected to keep growing over the next few years. Wall Street is forecasting Macau casino revenue, which hit $7 billion in 2006, to grow to anywhere from $10 billion to $15 billion by 2010.

U.S. casino operators Wynn Resorts and Las Vegas Sands already have casinos open in Macau. Las Vegas Sands is set to open another casino, a “Venetian” resort, there later this year.

source (http://macaudailyblog.com/macau-gaming/mgm-mirage-to-build-second-casino-in-macau/)

MGM is too confident but they are not in the game yet.

Kung hei fat choi!

^^ yea, MGM is really confident and the company believes that opening one casino is not enough in macau, now they are planning for the second one, maybe in the future u will see more and more casinos coming up

Any idea on the location of MGM 2nd Casino at Cotai Strip?

Any idea on the location of MGM 2nd Casino at Cotai Strip?

MGM havent decide the location of their 2nd Casino at Cotai Strip yet

As senior vice-president of MGM Grand Macau, MGM Mirage’s joint venture in Asia, Richard Tsiang is busy, constantly switching languages as the phone callers and the visitors streaming through the office seek instant answers. Tsiang is recruiting 6000 staff and helping oversee the construction of a 31-storey, 600-room, five-star hotel and casino in Macau, financially one of the hottest cities in the world.

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/mgm-grand-macau-feb07.jpg
He has just returned from Las Vegas along with one of the wealthiest women, Pansy Ho, after testifying at the Gaming Control Board of the Nevada Gaming Commission as the local partner of MGM, now the biggest gaming corporation in the world since its takeover of Harrah’s.

In the last decade, Tsiang has jointly run a Hong Kong-based fund management business that cashed out shortly before the 1997 crash, and worked as Yahoo’s Asian chief financial officer and head of strategy, and as Asian managing director of New York-based travel and real estate giant Cendant Corp.

He switches with bewildering ease between Cantonese, Mandarin, Shanghainese and Australian-accented English.Tsiang grew up in Kew as the son of a general practitioner. When he was 16, he earned money during the school holidays by working on a factory floor. The owner used to take him to the factory at 5.30am, stressing the value of a good education.

The owner was a neighbour “and salt of the earth” - billionaire Richard Pratt, one of Australia’s richest people and chairman of the Visy international cardboard empire.

Tsiang, 46, is married with two children and is one of those few palpable Asian success stories.

Tsiang attended Carey Grammar in Melbourne, the same school as Treasurer Peter Costello, then acquired a bachelor of commerce and an MBA from Melbourne University, as well as becoming a chartered accountant.

He shakes his head in bewilderment after recalling how a shareholder of Tabcorp had recently complained in the media that the management had been remiss in incurring a $US2 million loss on China activity, saying the company had taken its eyes off the ball. “Their mistake wasn’t going into China. Their mistake was in not going with more aggression.”

Now he’s taken on a new challenge, shifting into the cut-throat casino business in Macau just as it is steaming past Las Vegas as the world’s biggest gaming centre. And he’s loving it. He dons a hard hat and shows us around the site of the new 600-room complex that is rapidly being completed on a spur of reclaimed land in a whole city that is being reclaimed, economically, by Beijing’s dispensation to make it China’s gambling mecca.

Tsiang finds it hard not to conceal his glee that the new MGM pub is rising between Wynn’s gold-fronted casino and the grey Pearl River.

We later walk through the gaming floor of “the main enemy”, Sands, whose major casino in Macau contains 793 tables, four times as many as the biggest casino in Las Vegas. Up to 40,000 people a day go through.

Tsiang is known there as a rival because of the number of dealers he has been hiring. Two years ago in Macau they were earning an average $1000 a month. Now, they are making $2300 - such is the frantic demand for staff.

The floor is packed with people from across the border, the mainland. They mostly stay at cheap hotels in the border city, Zhuhai, and the casino is suddenly deserted at 11.30pm as they rush to cross the border before it closes.

Gambling is illegal in the rest of China, except for two lotteries and horseracing in Hong Kong, although there is a “grey market” led by soccer betting, worth an estimated $US90 billion ($110 billion). And mainlanders are barred from working in casinos - reinforcing the soaring wages paid to Macau workers.

The Macau rules require gamblers to use Hong Kong dollars. Since they are not meant to take yuan out of the country, the mainlanders usually avoid the risk of contact with formal money changers and obtain their $HK by “buying” gold necklaces or other valuables from jewellers who give the money in change and hang on to the valuables for “safe keeping” - for ever.

Macau, a former Portuguese colony and the home of the oldest and most brilliantly restored European buildings in Asia, is on the west of the Pearl River delta, the opposite side from Hong Kong. Both the cities are “special administrative regions” of China and retain full border controls.

Tsiang is helping supervise - he is also chief financial officer - MGM’s first venture anywhere outside the US. As well as the project in the heart of Macau, with its tasteful, blue-tiled Portuguese references, the company is also building an even bigger hotel-casino on the booming Cotai strip between Macau’s offshore islands of Coloane and Taipa, connected by causeway.

How come Chinese people seem to work and save so hard, yet have a reputation as eager gamblers?

“There’s not much research available,” says Tsiang, whose own family came to Melbourne originally from Shanghai, where their roots were in the diplomatic corps and in commerce. “People have to be thrifty because wages are relatively lower. Outside China, they’ve always been minorities and haven’t trusted bankers, so have often hoarded their cash.”

Cash is thus often available and when the occasion appears auspicious, or a family wants to have fun and make money at the same time, the Chinese dream - a visit to the casino - now beckons.

Not for Tsiang himself, who says he’s not really tempted to punt on the tables. He is a part-owner of a Hong Kong racehorse, though. And - perhaps his bravest throw of the dice - he is tipping his beloved Collingwood to have a great AFL season.

More than 60 per cent of gamblers in Macau are now from the People’s Republic - 22 million of them last year - plus about 30 per cent from Hong Kong, an hour’s jetfoil ride across the delta, in a vessel owned by Shun Tak. Pansy Ho, daughter of Macau’s gambling grandfather Stanley Ho, is MD of Shun Tak as well as of MGM Macau Asia.

Tsiang describes her as “a savvy, tough businesswoman”.

He believes the yuan could be fully convertible within five years, now that the major banks have mostly recapitalised. This would make visits to Macau even easier.

source (http://macaudailyblog.com/macau-news/richard-tsiang-talks-about-mgm-grand-macau/)

I am just wondering what is the architecture company or construction company that is responsible for this project for Grand MGM in Macau.

All feedbacks are appreciated.

Wong & Tung International 王董國際有限公司

Interview with the President of MGM Grand Macau :

http://www.macaubusiness.com/index.php?id=898

Casino developer MGM Mirage Inc. said Monday it would open its debut property in the Chinese gambling destination of Macau on Dec. 18.

The $1.25 billion (EUR850 million) project is a joint venture with Pansy Ho, daughter of Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho, an gambling industry veteran.

The resort will feature 600 rooms, suites and villas, 375 table games, 900 slot machines and 16 high-end private gambling salons.

It also has a conservatory called Grand Praca that is three times the size a seasonal botanical garden at its Las Vegas property, Bellagio, and was designed with the traditional Portuguese architecture of the former colony in mind, said MGM Mirage spokesman Gordon Absher.

The 35-story MGM Grand Macau will be staffed by 6,000 employees.

MGM Mirage chief executive Terry Lanni said in a statement that the opening would mark “the beginning of a new era in Macau,” which has overtaken the Las Vegas Strip as the top gambling revenue generator in the world.

Ho’s father ran the casino monopoly in Macau for four decades until liberalization in 2002. She said the resort represents “the first of many” the partnership would develop in Macau.

The joint company, MGM Grand Paradise Ltd., is already in talks with the Macau government to develop a second site on an area of reclaimed land known as the Cotai Strip.

Source | International Herald Tribune

http://www.macaudailyblog.com/

I google "MGM Grand Macau" but there is no official website yet. How are the visitors going to book hotel rooms beyond Dec 20 when there is no website at all?

I google "MGM Grand Macau" but there is no official website yet. How are the visitors going to book hotel rooms beyond Dec 20 when there is no website at all?

Maybe hotel not fully ready ?? Otherwise taking a risk not allowing booking. (or do you have be a VIP gamer, courtesy of Ho family ??)

Have also seen new posting pics of interior. Looks very much Venetian, tho obviously smaller.
http://www.macautripping.com/tripping/

Always wondered, what's on the roof ?? (apart from skylight). Will there be a pool there (or where ??). Large area, would be a waste not to do something (and I'm biased as part of my unit in 1CR will look at MGM).

Secondly, any shopping (I think they said no, shopping is in 1CR) ?? But superstructure looks like 3 floors, site size almost same as Wynn (only 1 floor). Surely can't be just 3 floors of gaming. If no shopping hopefully some nice restaurants at least.
Do believe there will be a theatre on roof (proposed ?), next to MO side. But not sure what else they'll have there. Hope not bare like Venetian (ugly roof).

I google "MGM Grand Macau" but there is no official website yet. How are the visitors going to book hotel rooms beyond Dec 20 when there is no website at all?

http://mgmgrandmacau.com/

A plug for ggaaxx !!!

Some nice photos of MGM Macau with bits of 1CR.
http://www.macaudailyblog.com/

I just wonder, do you guys considere yourself Chinese, part of China or only technically part of China?

I just wonder, do you guys considere yourself Chinese, part of China or only technically part of China?

I'm born & raised in Hong Kong. Have lived in HK all my life ( except a few yrs in the U.S. ). I considered myself 100% Chinese.

MGM Grand Macau is nearly ready for the 18 December 2007 Grand Opening!

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-lion.jpg

Following our recent trip to Macau we were amazed by the construction activities going on around the Wynn Macau. As you can see with the following pictures, within a mile radius there was activity at the Wynn Diamond Suites, New Macau Mandarin Hotel, Arch de Triomph, MGM Grand Macau, Central One and the Trinity Casino sites!

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-looking-towards-wynn-diamond-suites.jpg
MGM Grand Macau Facing Wynn Diamond Suites Site

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-joining-new-mandarin-hotel.jpg
Back of MGM Grand Macau Adjoining New Mandarin Hotel

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-side-entry.jpg
MGM Grand Macau Side Entrance

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-side-view.jpg
Side View

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-from-trintiy-casino-site.jpg
Overlooking From Melco PBL Trinity Casino Site

http://macaudailyblog.com/macau-casino/mgm-grand-macau-opening-18-december-2007/

MGM Grand Macau is nearly ready for the 18 December 2007 Grand Opening!
Following our recent trip to Macau we were amazed by the construction activities going on around the Wynn Macau. As you can see with the following pictures, within a mile radius there was activity at the Wynn Diamond Suites, New Macau Mandarin Hotel, Arch de Triomph, MGM Grand Macau, Central One and the Trinity Casino sites!

http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-joining-new-mandarin-hotel.jpg
Back of MGM Grand Macau Adjoining New Mandarin Hotel

Nice pics. But I'm not sure I like the MGM colors though, kind of odd combination. Haven't been to Macau for a while. Didn't know the New Mandarin Hotel has already begin its construction. Thought they are going to build 1CR first.
Macau Villager, I do not see Twr 7 from this picture. Could it be on the right of the Mandarin??

I'm sure this is the back view of MGM (so picture taken behind Wynn), so building on right is One Central (shopping arcade). Twr 7 should sit on top of this block.
As you can see, podium should be around 6-7 levels (3 shops, a few levels of car parks plus club house level), so MGM should have 3 levels.

It looks very small compare to the MGM Grand Las Vegas. If Macau will overtake Las Vegas in the casino business, I wonder why MGM constructed something so conservative? I wonder if they are still experimenting with Far East Casino Business?

Macau has overtaken LV in terms of gaming figures. Most of the developments have mainly focussed on gaming area - this will be quite large, likely second to Venetian Macau (biggest in the world). Looks like this will be housed on the lower section.
The tower is the hotel, only 600 rooms. Likely mainly for VIPS, not for normal mainland tourists.

Size is small as this is on the old part or 'heart' of Macau, with limited land. Hence probably this area focusses on gaming first as this is the most profitable (shopping, conventions, hotels & condos go elsewhere). The main big developments will be in Cotai - where Venetian is. Wynn also has a large plot there (plus a 3-4 others of similar size under construction). These will be the mega complexes, with conventions, shopping, venues etc.

MGM site is approx same size as Wynns, but looks like it has more levels (3 ?) than Wynns (mainly single floor). So gaming areas will be large/huge. Yet this single Wynns casino has made a huge difference to overall Wynns empire.

MGM + Wynn + Others (Lisboa, Stardust) in the old part is (very) approx the same site size as Venetian in Cotai. Hence, this area is smallish, but will be the densest in number of casinos. My guess is that this area will be very popular to tour groups since they have such a large choice withing walking distance.

Interestingly, MGM is only a 50:50 jv with one of the incumbents (Ho's daughter). I don't think MGM has a plot in Cotai yet - so wondering if MGM may restrict itself in Macau as it will only get 50% (at least for now).

Interestingly, MGM is only a 50:50 jv with one of the incumbents (Ho's daughter). I don't think MGM has a plot in Cotai yet - so wondering if MGM may restrict itself in Macau as it will only get 50% (at least for now).

Just copy and paste from a website on MGM :

The MGM JV is also in the planning stages for a new casino project on the Cotai Strip. MGM hasnt given out details yet since they are still working with the Macao government, but when it finally is announced, you can count on it being something very high-end and very special.

I just wonder, do you guys considere yourself Chinese, part of China or only technically part of China?

You really need to come to Macau, make some local friends to find that out.:)

It may be the photograph angle, the background of the Vegas lion just looks better.

Macau MGM
http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-lion.jpg

Vega MGM
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/456047893_64b40e29c7.jpg

I think most HK'ers (and I think most Mecanese) do not look at mainlanders as the 'same'. It may be snobbery, but most feel maybe 'superior' to our mainly 'country' bumpkins brothers and sisters.
At the same time, many of us have a difficult time despite our 'superiority'... we now have to rely on China, and many mainlanders have much more money/power than the average HK/Mecanese. And they effectively have the final say over many issues. So despite this 'superiority' we are under their control !!
HK & Macau had a different life til recently (ie handover). We missed the cultural revolution, more exposed to the west, have travelled more overseas, etc., tho many (younger) mainlanders have now begun to have this exposure.

Anyway, this difference is not just related to HK/Mecanese... This predjudice also exists in Germany (to former East Germans). And likewise differences exist within countries (eg. North/South Italy).

So yes, we are Chinese, we are part of China, but the people's mentality is different. I think the younger (esp <45) feel we are like chalk and cheese to the most mainland people. But I think eventually, esp younger mainlanders (<30) will become more similar to our mentality.

Macau has overtaken LV in terms of gaming figures. Most of the developments have mainly focussed on gaming area - this will be quite large, likely second to Venetian Macau (biggest in the world). Looks like this will be housed on the lower section.
The tower is the hotel, only 600 rooms. Likely mainly for VIPS, not for normal mainland tourists.

Size is small as this is on the old part or 'heart' of Macau, with limited land. Hence probably this area focusses on gaming first as this is the most profitable (shopping, conventions, hotels & condos go elsewhere). The main big developments will be in Cotai - where Venetian is. Wynn also has a large plot there (plus a 3-4 others of similar size under construction). These will be the mega complexes, with conventions, shopping, venues etc.

MGM site is approx same size as Wynns, but looks like it has more levels (3 ?) than Wynns (mainly single floor). So gaming areas will be large/huge. Yet this single Wynns casino has made a huge difference to overall Wynns empire.

MGM + Wynn + Others (Lisboa, Stardust) in the old part is (very) approx the same site size as Venetian in Cotai. Hence, this area is smallish, but will be the densest in number of casinos. My guess is that this area will be very popular to tour groups since they have such a large choice withing walking distance.

Interestingly, MGM is only a 50:50 jv with one of the incumbents (Ho's daughter). I don't think MGM has a plot in Cotai yet - so wondering if MGM may restrict itself in Macau as it will only get 50% (at least for now).

Check out the following on the exclusive photo features of the architectural details & the inside of the MGM Grand, Macau.
http://www.macautripping.com/features/feature.php?feature_id=3&page=1

Very impressive, esp the Grande Praca, very elegant & glamorous. Even though somewhat like the Venetian.

Interview with the President of MGM Grand Macau :

http://www.macaubusiness.com/index.php?id=898

MGM Grand do have many plans for Cotai.
Also check my previous post.

MGM Grand Macau says funding secured for expansion

MACAU, Dec 13, 2007 (AFP) - MGM Grand, the latest Las Vegas-style casino to open in the world gambling centre of Macau, said Thursday it has already secured funding for its second-phase expansion.

The 1.25 billion-dollar project is a 50/50 joint venture between MGM Mirage of Las Vegas and Pansy Ho, daughter of the southern Chinese territory's casino mogul Stanley Ho. The casino resort, which opens next week, is MGM Mirage's first in Asia.

Ho said MGM Grand had submitted preliminary plans for an expansion on reclaimed land called the Cotai Strip, which recreates the Las Vegas Strip, adding it was waiting for government approval.

"Once we get the approval, we will decide how to go forward," Ho, MGM Grand managing director, told reporters at a pre-opening press conference.

She said the company had yet to set concrete plans for the second phase, but had already secured funding for it.

Ho also said MGM Grand would focus on the VIP market and was confident in the future of the casino industry in the territory, whose gaming revenues of 7.3 billion dollars overtook the famous Las Vegas Strip last year.

"MGM Mirage is the leader of the high-end market. We feel that it's easy for us to do the same here. We will continue to work hard and reach this goal," she said.

MGM Grand President Bob Moon hoped the new resort casino will be able to take advantage of the booming tourism industry in the city.

"With the tourism sector burgeoning in Macau, MGM Mirage is determined to create with Ms. Ho a brand new experience for tourists coming to see the new Macau," he said.

Macau has a population of just over 530,000, but last year welcomed 22 million visitors -- a figure that has already been surpassed in October this year and is expected to rise to 26 million by the end of 2007.

MGM Grand will feature 600 rooms and a casino with about 385 table games, 890 slot machines and 16 private gaming salons. The 35-storey hotel resort will also include convention space.

The centrepiece of the building is the so-called Grand Praca which has a glass ceiling 25 meters above ground with European-inspired architecture. Its design was inspired by the Central train station in Lisbon.

Built on the Macau peninsula, MGM Grand is the latest casino hotel to join in the battle in the cut-throat gaming industry after the liberalisation of gaming regulations on Macau.

The small former Portuguese colony's century-old gaming market was given a boost in 2001, when the end of Stanley Ho's 40-year gambling monopoly resulted in a flood of investment from American operators.

In 2004 Sands became the first major American company to open a casino in Macau. The 2.4 billion-dollar Venetian Macao resort, operated by Sands and built on the Cotai Strip, also opened its door to the public in August.

US tycoon Steve Wynn and Crown Macau, a partnership between Australia's Publishing and Broadcasting and Hong Kong-listed Melco, have also opened their own casinos.

In the year to the third quarter, Macau recorded gaming revenues of 58.32 billion patacas (7.5 billion US dollars), already more than last year's total of 56.6 billion patacas, with VIP baccarat remaining the top earner.

It may be the photograph angle, the background of the Vegas lion just looks better.

Macau MGM
http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-lion.jpg

Vega MGM
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/456047893_64b40e29c7.jpg

It take the Vegas one three trys to get it right, the frist design was the wrost one, lion mouth as the door way to the casino...who want walk in the mouth of a lion!!

MGM Macau booked this holiday season already (earliest now 2 January)....

Was looking at the website, trying to book for past few days... then report in HK paper said booked up (via local travel agents). So today checked website, found it booked up 17? Dec to 1 January.
Prices are from HKD1941 incl taxes...

MGM Mirage launches first casino in Macau
18 December 2007

MACAU (AP) - Socialites and showbiz stars joined business tycoons Tuesday for the opening of the MGM Grand Macau, the latest Las Vegas-backed casino to crowd into the tiny Chinese gambling enclave, hoping to lure China's growing middle class.

The $1.25 billion MGM Grand is a joint venture between Las Vegas casino operator MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho, former socialite and the daughter of Macau's former casino kingpin, Stanley Ho.

It is jockeying for high rollers with dozens of casinos already stationed in Macau, the only place in China where gambling is legal and which last year raked in more gaming revenue than the Las Vegas Strip.

"It's an exciting night for all of us. We at MGM like to do things in a grand way and we're going to be in Macau for many decades to come," Terry Lanni, CEO of MGM Mirage said, addressing hundreds of people packed in a cavernous European style plaza for the opening ceremony.

The high-profile guest list included Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, top Macau government officials, as well as local celebrities and tycoons, including Stanley Ho, a spokeswoman said.

As an orchestra played at the base of a fairytale European castle in the plaza, waitresses in black suits with Chinese collars served glasses of Veuve Cliquot champagne to sequin dressed socialites in fox furs.

Stanley Ho ran the casino business in Macau for 40 years until 2001 -- two years after the Portuguese colony returned to Chinese rule -- when the government broke up his monopoly and handed out gaming concessions to foreign interests.

American Sheldon Adelson was the first to enter the territory, opening the Sands Macau in 2004, and then this August the $2.4 billion Venetian, a Las Vegas style mega casino-resort complete with Italian gondolas punting down indoor canals.

Pansy Ho said the 600-room MGM Grand will target the wealthiest gamblers, called "VIP customers" in the business, who are interested in high-end shopping and entertainment as well as gambling.

Lanni said the joint partnership between MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho was already scouting out other opportunities in Macau and had located a spot on the Cotai strip, a piece of reclaimed land that has already drawn the likes of the mass-market Venetian. "We can't wait to develop that property and we will be having very significant discussions with the Macau government about that," he said.

Ho described the MGM Grand -- an eclectic mix of European architecture, Chinese minimalism and art deco -- as a "style icon" that would offer a new art and lifestyle experience to visitors.

The hotel will link to a luxury apartment block and a shopping center still under development. Phase two of the hotel complex will include space for a convention center, theater and circus.

Ho has dismissed concerns that the casino was squeezing into a corner of Macau's main island that was already packed with luxury gambling resorts, including some run by her family.

"These few casinos will actually work in conjunction to present a really formidable proposition to all VIP customers that this should be the center of the high-rolling gaming experience," she said in Macau last week during a preview tour of the hotel.

The 35-story MGM Grand boasts a huge atrium with a glass ceiling that's 20 feet high and is modeled on the central train station in Lisbon, a nod to the territory's Portuguese heritage. Abstract hand-blown glass sculptures by U.S. artist Dale Chihuly are scattered around the plush marble lobby, while a life-sized Salvador Dali statue of a girl skipping rope sits on the lawn outside.

The hotel also offers 400 gambling tables, 800 slot machines and 16 private gaming rooms, comparable to its closest rivals, U.S. tycoon Steve Wynn's casino and the Crown Macau.

Both the $1.1 billion Wynn and the Crown Macau, a joint venture between Australia's Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd. and Hong Kong-based Melco International Development Ltd., run by Pansy's brother, Lawrence Ho, have positioned themselves as high-end casinos.

The Grand is MGM's first entry into Asia. While the jury is still out on whether Asian gamblers respond to the same type of non-casino entertainment as those in Las Vegas, it was expected to be a successful launch, said Jonathan Galaviz, a partner at Globalysis Ltd., a Las Vegas-based consultancy.

"MGM Mirage has an excellent Asian consumer base that patronizes their integrated resorts in Las Vegas, their new Macau property should benefit from these pre-existing customer relationships," he said.

However, analysts warned that Macau was reaching "opening fatigue."

"We're not seeing the big jump in gaming revenues with every new opening that we saw with the early casinos," Rob Hart, an analyst with Hong Kong-based Morgan Stanley said.

But, with 100 million people just next door in China's wealthiest region of Guangdong, and with average salaries of 1 billion people in mainland China on the increase, Hart said there was still huge growth potential for Macau's gaming industry.

Outside the MGM Grand, mainland construction worker Liu Jun looked up at the hotels retro beige façade with a mixture of pride and longing. The Shaanxi native said he had been part of the team that had built the hotel but had very little money to go inside and gamble, having already lost "thousands" in another casino earlier. "We heard that every mainland Chinese who came here tonight would receive 1,000 yuan ($130)," he said. The rumor couldn't be confirmed.

Others outside were more curious than hard-core gamblers.

"I live in Macau. I'm interested in what it looks like inside. I'm not really interested in gambling," said Chen Mei Kun, who was among hundreds of others who had lined up for hours to be first into the casino when the doors opened to the public.

Lavish casino opens in Macau
Reuters | Wednesday, 19 December 2007

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AdvertisementMGM Mirage, the world's No.2 casino operator, has opened a 600-room, Las Vegas-style resort in Macau, raising the stakes in a Chinese gambling haven increasingly crowded by global players.


The $US1.25 ($NZ1.67) billion MGM Grand Macau, a joint venture between MGM and Pansy Ho, daughter of Macau gambling mogul and one-time monopoly holder Stanley Ho, is a relative latecomer to the once sleepy former Portuguese enclave, following Las Vegas Sands Corp and Wynn Resorts Ltd

MGM was in talks with Dubai World, holder of close to a 5 percent stake in the company, to extend their relationship in Macau and into China, though nothing had been finalised, said Gordon Absher, vice president of public affairs.

"The stage that we're at in the development of gaming resorts in Macau is very close to going back 40, 50 years, to when Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo in Las Vegas," said Gabe Hunterton, vice president for casino operations.

Siegel was the legendary mobster credited with having a hand in Vegas' initial development.

Now, MGM Mirage and MGM Grand Paradise -- the joint venture with Pansy Ho -- are pondering ways, and holding talks, to expand in the region, Absher said.

"In Macau, the MGM Grand Paradise partnership is in the process of negotiating with the government on a second site in Cotai. Separately, DW (Dubai World) owns land in Macau..., which may present a location of a third development site," he said.

He also said that MGM Mirage was considering projects in China not related to gambling together with the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, and that Dubai World may join some or all of those projects.

Foreign casino operators jumped at the opportunity when Stanley Ho's gaming monopoly expired in 2002, setting up giant Vegas-like facilities, replete with shopping arcades, entertainment complexes and vast casino floors.

Macau's economy has jumped, too, and annual visitor numbers have doubled since 2003 when the Chinese government began to loosen restrictions on individual travel for its population, with its legendary appetite for gambling.

Some 22 million people visited Macau last year, pumping its gambling revenues past those of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The new resort targets high-margin high rollers -- the revenue dynamo of the gambling industry in the only place casinos are legal in China.

But questions hang over Macau's casino boom.

For one, the tiny territory, with a population of around 500,000, will have to import huge numbers of workers.

Also, visitor numbers may be rising, but much of the new casino construction is betting guests will stay longer than the current average and do more than just gamble. That may be a long bet, given that most of the gamblers are from China and have tended to spend the majority of their time at the tables.

"For many, many years they didn't really have another option. If you throw someone out of a boat, they'll swim whether they enjoy swimming or not," Hunterton said. "As customers here start to enjoy the amenities, as they become more comfortable with the amenities, I think they are going to definitely take advantage of it."

Industry wide, VIP margins are declining as commissions rise with the competition, while on the mass-market side the average revenue per table is declining.

Still, MGM Grand Macau plans to expand, possibly in the next "12, 18, 19 months", said Hunterton. "We have another 120,000 square feet of gaming area for expansion and approximately 80,000 of non-gaming."

MGM Mirage operates nearly 20 casinos, and in addition to the Macau offering it is developing a number of others, including the giant CityCenter project in Las Vegas and a $US5 billion casino in Atlantic City.

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze tower looks like Yellow, Sky Blue, and Orange by day. Let's see how the tower looks at night soon.

damn, i love casino resort structures, luxury and design at its best!!!

Any pictures from the grand opening?

Any pictures from the grand opening?

Here are some opening videos:

http://macaudailyblog.com/macau-casino/mgm-grand-macau-opening-videos/

Here's some other pics of MGM Grand Macau...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2087/2144582880_c2063b5585_b.jpg
Infinity Pool
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2143769387_b1e9d94b5b_b.jpg
Spa/Exit to Pool. Background should be Block 7 of One Central

Hi MacauVillager28: how do you find the interior decortaion and ambience of MGM Grand versus Venetian/Wynn/Crown? And what about the crowd? Did it affect the business in neighboring Wynn?

Hi MacauVillager28: how do you find the interior decortaion and ambience of MGM Grand versus Venetian/Wynn/Crown? And what about the crowd? Did it affect the business in neighboring Wynn?

MGM was OK. It is slightly more child/tourist friendly than Wynn as it has the Praca (?) square, but this is obviously still small compared with Venetian. Shopping still lacking (early days - it obviously needs 1CR). Note only main entrance is accessible for children (but taxi driver did not want to stop there as it is inconvenient). The two side entrances do not lead to the Praca.
Wynn has improved with its new shops/expansion (tho all designer stuff). Venetian has also improved as a few more shops (and now plenty more restaurants - this was a problem on opening)

Went on 26 December, so Macau was busy, with 20+ minute queues the norm. Wynn was very busy (as it opened its new wing on 24 Dec). As mentioned, plenty of shops now. MGM seemed not to be too crowded (some gaming tables empty - tho this was early, at 5pm). Venetian was still busy everywhere.

MGM decor OK, similar to Wynns. Went with my Mom, first time. She thought Venetian was fantastic, out of this world (tho she has poor eyesight !!). I agree that Venetian due to size has a great atmosphere and they know how to create a festive feel. I think many first timers would think the same (esp mainlanders).

Venetian/Cotai is for mass market (how else to fill it up ?). I think MGM/Wynn etc on the Peninsula is for VIPs and serious gamers (closer to each other). Getting around is still a problem (as HK'ers we don't have patience - don't like queuing 20+ mins for everything - feels like queueing for rides in Disney, not relaxing for a weekend break).

"queuing 20+ mins for everything" !?:eek: No wondering they keep building new casinos.

Thank you for the pictures, MacauVillager28!:)

MGM was OK. It is slightly more child/tourist friendly than Wynn as it has the Praca (?) square, but this is obviously still small compared with Venetian. Shopping still lacking (early days - it obviously needs 1CR). Note only main entrance is accessible for children (but taxi driver did not want to stop there as it is inconvenient). The two side entrances do not lead to the Praca.

MGM decor OK, similar to Wynns. .

Thanks for the review. From your conclusion, it seemed that MGM is not as impressive as Wynn or Venetian, and lack the "wow" effect.

Just wonder what is that "Praca square"? Is that the lobby or casino entrance? From the photo, it does not look spectacular. Does it look much better there?

Thanks for the review. From your conclusion, it seemed that MGM is not as impressive as Wynn or Venetian, and lack the "wow" effect.

Just wonder what is that "Praca square"? Is that the lobby or casino entrance? From the photo, it does not look spectacular. Does it look much better there?
Go to the following for some photos of Grande Praca, MGM Grand.
http://www.macautripping.com/features/feature.php?feature_id=8&page=1
http://www.macautripping.com/features/feature.php?feature_id=3&page=1

Thanks for the review. From your conclusion, it seemed that MGM is not as impressive as Wynn or Venetian, and lack the "wow" effect.

Just wonder what is that "Praca square"? Is that the lobby or casino entrance? From the photo, it does not look spectacular. Does it look much better there?

I wouldn't quite say it is not as impressive... it hasn't been a major leg up in the stakes... and other new projects in Cotai are unlikely to surpass Venetian for a while.
I also think it may take time to improve... Wynn is continuously improving. I think MGM likewise. Sands was the first LV casino, Wynn brought the fountains, Venetian brought the mega LV, etc.
MGM is likely to continue to improve bit by bit... though a major boost from it may actually come with the shopping/restaurants and MO in 1CR !! And I didn't visit the VIP area (not sure if 2/F opened) since I don't really gamble, nor did I stay in hotel so can't comment on service, rooms etc..

The Praca is a pleasant square, but still old European style so cannot compare with Venetian. It's a nice place for photos, coffee, etc. I think its hard to come up with something mega since site size is OK, and I think MGM just wants to get its gaming operations going (looks like this is still priority)...
Maybe they could've used their imagination ?? Come up with something wacky... or just playing safe for now ?

Went on 26 December, so Macau was busy, with 20+ minute queues the norm. Getting around is still a problem (as HK'ers we don't have patience - don't like queuing 20+ mins for everything - feels like queueing for rides in Disney, not relaxing for a weekend break).

Yes, one problem I had on the last trip is the waiting time for taxi queue too, and it wasn't even festive season then.

It is so obvious that Macau has a shortage of taxi on the road. So sometimes I wonder why there were 3 demonstrations in the past 1-2 years against the government on the problems low incomers faced due to competition from immigrants and lack of wage increase? I assume the demonstrators can apply to be taxi drivers, who seem to be doing quite well financially. Immigrants are not allowed to work as taxi drivers, so all Macau government has to do is to issue more taxi licsenses to these demonstrators and the social problem would be solved. Tourists would be happy not to queue for 20 minutes too.

Just my thought. Perhaps anyone who understand the social problem in Macau can explain why this is not done so far and why the demonstrators are still angry.

Almost 1 hour wait for dinner buffet at Grand Lisboa also... And 1.5-2 hours at Fernando's for lunch.... Not bookings except 2 days in advance for Club Military....
Need to get a personal planner to fix itinery before hand... but since most only go for 1 day.. you normally don't think of that.

Saw manpower survey that wages have gone up a lot, but many jobs still at MOP5k I think... (construction, garment workers/manufacturing etc....). Sure taxi drivers making a fortune (we spent a lot on taxis) tho...

I think it may be the contrast that many (probaly older workers) getting MOP5k vs the mega rich in Macau, plus the HKD1bn amassed by govt official..

I think those maybe 50+ may find work still being low pay, and cannot get jobs in hotels... This however is similar to HK... but I guess HK officials are seen as 'clean'..

I think those maybe 50+ may find work still being low pay, and cannot get jobs in hotels...

But I would think even those 50+ are capable of driving taxi around town.
I would think the taxi drivers in Macau are making more than HK10k per month.

Yes, one problem I had on the last trip is the waiting time for taxi queue too, and it wasn't even festive season then.

It is so obvious that Macau has a shortage of taxi on the road. So sometimes I wonder why there were 3 demonstrations in the past 1-2 years against the government on the problems low incomers faced due to competition from immigrants and lack of wage increase? I assume the demonstrators can apply to be taxi drivers, who seem to be doing quite well financially. Immigrants are not allowed to work as taxi drivers, so all Macau government has to do is to issue more taxi licsenses to these demonstrators and the social problem would be solved. Tourists would be happy not to queue for 20 minutes too.

Just my thought. Perhaps anyone who understand the social problem in Macau can explain why this is not done so far and why the demonstrators are still angry.
If the Macau govt. can not resolve this transportation problem soon, it will surely hurt the tourism in Macau.
Most HKers now think twice before going to Macau ( & more than twice for any festive season )! They already heard too many stories about the long waiting queues for everything.

Giant lion sculpture in front of the MGM Grand Macau hotel

took this pic on Dec, 2007

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd99/eric0130/Thailand/P1020675.jpg

The long queue outside MGM at the opening night
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd99/eric0130/Thailand/P1020639.jpg

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd99/eric0130/Thailand/P1020652.jpg

View from Wynn Hotel
http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd99/eric0130/Thailand/P1020638.jpg

Giant lion sculpture in front of the MGM Grand Macau hotel

took this pic on Dec, 2007

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd99/eric0130/Thailand/P1020675.jpg

Great angle. Looks awesome!

according to peolple who have visisted their spa, MGM processes one of the best spas in Macau, and certainly matching one of the best anywhere.

It may be the photograph angle, the background of the Vegas lion just looks better.

Macau MGM
http://macaudailyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/mgm-grand-macau-lion.jpg

Vega MGM
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/190/456047893_64b40e29c7.jpg

vegas mgm is grander in design.

^^ but the Macau MGM have the best looking "building" ...till the Atlantic City MGM

In todays SCMP job pages
GRAND EXPANSION AT MGM
- Company will be taking on an additional 200 employess for the 4400sm expansion, with phase 2 due next year.
- Recruitment from Macau, HK and surrounding areas. But due to labour shortage in Macau, would also conduct intl recruitment campaign.
- 219 positions now vacant on company website. Majority in hotel operations/f&b. Other positions include HR, marketing/communications, security, IT. Applicants who spoke English and Chinese looked on favourably, was would those who could speak Korean & Japanese.
- Majority of visitors from mainland, HK, then Japan, S Korean, Malaysia and Indonesia.
- The USD1.25bn MGM Grand has 600 rooms, 385 gaming tables, 888 slots, 16 private gaming areas. With phase 2 on the drawing board, expansion will include another 70 gaming tables and 240 slots. This will leave an additional 2400sm for future expansion.
- Ms Barnes, MGM Macau's VP for markeing and communications, said the aim was to constantly improve the property and staff.

I just vitsed the MGM in Macau It was great.

here are my Picture's I took....

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/P1010196-1.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/P1010195.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/P1010193.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/P1010189.jpg

By Bernard Lo and Kelvin Wong
More Photos/Details

July 22 (Bloomberg) -- MGM Mirage's venture with the daughter of billionaire Stanley Ho, which opened its first Macau casino in October, said government measures to curb a gambling expansion won't derail a second project in the city.

``I don't see delays being caused,'' Pansy Ho, who owns 50 percent of the venture, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Macau. China is trying to slow the gaming boom in the city to avoid potential social unrest.

Macau last week cut the maximum time mainland Chinese travelers may stay while en route to other destinations, and will block entry through Hong Kong on the same visa. The city's government said in April it will also stop approving new casino projects and halt issuing new gaming licenses.

``We're very comfortable as the government received our submission'' before the deadline set for April's announcement, Pansy Ho said. ``Our project is still definitely going to go along. It's only a matter of the processing.''

The Macau government also will limit the number of gaming tables to 5,000, and curb slot machines for existing casino operators. The former Portuguese enclave, the only Chinese region where casino gaming is legal, currently has about 4,300 tables.

``That is a reasonable figure to work on for the time being,'' Pansy Ho said. ``The market is already showing signs that there should be a correction.''

The venture may team up with the Dubai government's investment arm for its second project in the Chinese city, which in 2006 surpassed the Las Vegas Strip as the world's biggest gaming hub, MGM Mirage Chief Executive Officer Terrence Lanni has said. Dubai World last year bought a stake in MGM Mirage, the world's second-largest casino operator.

Concerns Raised

Gaming regulators in Nevada and New Jersey, where MGM owns casinos, have raised concerns over Pansy Ho's financial ties with her father. Pansy Ho is managing director of Shun Tak Holdings Ltd., a Ho family-controlled company with an indirect stake in SJM Holdings Ltd., Stanley Ho's casino company.

``You can't segregate a daughter and a father,'' Pansy Ho said. ``But I can assure any gaming regulators there is no cross influence'' between their respective casino operations.

The venture between MGM Mirage, 54 percent owned by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, and Pansy Ho is the last among Macau's six licensed casino operators to secure its foothold in Macau, where casinos have more than doubled to 29 since the government ended Stanley Ho's 40-year-old monopoly of its gaming market in 2002.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kelvin Wong in Hong Kong at kwong40@bloomberg.net
Last Updated: July 21, 2008 22:10 EDT

By Beth Jinks and Kelvin Wong

Aug. 6 (Bloomberg) -- MGM Mirage, the world's second- largest casino company, plans to almost double gaming tables for high rollers at its Macau casino by year-end to tap the growing number of gamblers who spend more than $124,000 a visit.

MGM Grand Macau, a venture between the Las Vegas-based company and billionaire Stanley Ho's daughter Pansy Ho, will increase its VIP tables by 70 to 150, Chief Executive Officer Terrence Lanni said on a conference call today.

Macau earned almost 70 percent of gaming revenue from VIP gamblers, defined as those who spend more than 1 million patacas ($124,000) every trip. That's higher than the 67 percent share in 2006, even as the city's government sought to slow growth in the number of high rollers coming to the only place in China were casinos are legal.

``We have determined it would be important to add more VIP tables,'' Lanni said. ``On balance, we're not pleased with the past performance of our property in Macau, but we believe that we are taking the necessary steps.''

The casino, a block from Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s only property the city, has 366 gaming tables. Lanni said the casino will add about 22 VIP tables this month.

MGM Mirage said second-quarter profit fell 69 percent to $113.1 million as cash-strapped U.S. gamblers spent less at its Las Vegas casinos. MGM Macau, opened in December 2007, had a quarterly operating loss of $5 million on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $23 million.

Market Share

The move to bring in more VIP gamblers, partly through junket operators, helped raise MGM Macau's market share to 9.5 percent in July from 8 percent the previous month, Lanni said. Junket operators bring wealthy gamblers to Macau casinos, collecting commissions based on how much their clients bet.

``Since we have incorporated MGM Mirage marketing in June this year, we have doubled our VIP in-house business and we think that can continue to grow,'' he said.

Crown Macau casino, run by a venture between Australia's richest man James Packer and Pansy Ho's brother Lawrence Ho, implemented similar changes since opening in May 2007. The casino converted some mass gaming halls into VIP rooms and signed an agreement with a company representing junket operators.

``Macau's mass market lagged people's expectations,'' MGM Mirage Chief Financial Officer Daniel D'Arrigo said in a phone interview. ``The VIP business is growing at a faster pace right now and that's why you're seeing a shift in the focus for operators right there.''

Macau this month cut the maximum time mainland Chinese travelers may stay in the city while en route to other destinations by half to seven days, as China tries to curb high- roller gambling growth in the former Portuguese enclave.

The government of China's adjoining province of Guangdong in May limited travel by its residents to Macau to once a month. Mainland gamblers make up about 60 percent of Macau's visitors, with Hong Kong and Taiwan contributing most of the rest.

Stanley Ho controls Hong Kong-listed SJM Holdings Ltd., Macau's largest casino operator. Ho lost his four-decade legal monopoly on the city's gaming industry in 2002.

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MGM says it's out of bankruptcy woods

MGM Mirage has filed a report to the New York Stock Exchange in which it says that existing “substantial doubts” about the company’s capacity to fight off bankruptcy have been cleared.

In March, the word “bankruptcy” loomed over the casino developer but the restructuring plan that was put in place seems to have eased things for the American gaming giant.

MGM renegotiated many of its bank loans and managed to raise $US1.1 billion last month, following an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of 164.5 million shares.
MGM Mirage has US$1.28 billion in bonds due this year and another US$1.12 billion maturing in 2010. The company has said it bought back some bond debt trading at discounted levels.

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