Hong Kong (AP) -- The MGM Grand Macau opens its doors Tuesday, becoming the latest Las Vegas-backed casino to crowd into the tiny Chinese gambling enclave hoping to lure China's growing middle class. The USD 1.25 billion MGM Grand is a joint venture between Las Vegas casino operator MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho, the daughter of Macau's former casino kingpin, Stanley Ho.

MGM Grand, the latest Las Vegas-style casino to be opened in the world's gambling centre of Macau next week, said Thursday it has already secured funding for its second-phase expansion. The 1.25 billion-dollar resort casino 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.

MGM Mirage and Kerzner International Holdings Limited announced that the companies have appointed William Velardo as President and Chief Operating Officer of their 50/50 joint venture to develop a multi-billion dollar integrated resort property on the Las Vegas Strip. Velardo, who most recently led the Fontainebleau Las Vegas as President and COO, is a 30 year veteran in the casino business...

Las Vegas, Nevada MGM Mirage and Dubai World announced Friday that they have completed their previously announced 50/50 joint venture transaction in the landmark CityCenter development in Las Vegas. MGM Mirage contributed the CityCenter assets which the parties had mutually valued at [[USD]] 5.4 billion, and received 50 percent of the equity in CityCenter.

Casino developer MGM Mirage (MGM) said it would open its debut property in the Chinese gambling destination of Macau on December 18. The USD 1.25 billion project is a joint venture with Pansy Ho, daughter of Hong Kong billionaire Stanley Ho, a 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.

MGM Mirage and Mubadala Development Company, a strategic investment and development firm wholly-owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, announced they plan to develop the MGM Grand Abu Dhabi, a mixed-use development that will serve as an iconic gateway to Abu Dhabi. The MGM Grand Abu Dhabi will be strategically located at a prominent downtown waterfront site on Abu Dhabi Island. Once completed, the MGM Grand Abu Dhabi will feature unparalleled views of the city skyline as well as stunning panoramic views of the waterfront.

MGM Mirage said yesterday it will spend up to USD 5 billion to build a massive casino resort whose three towers will dominate the Atlantic City skyline and lift the level of luxury in a city hit hard by competition from slots parlors across the Northeast. The 3,000-room resort, planned to open in 2012, is part of a gamble by casino operators to reverse what is expected to be the first decline in casino revenue in Atlantic City in 29 years by polishing its image in an attempt to lure more affluent visitors.

Atlantic City - No longer content with building a mere casino, gaming giant MGM Mirage Inc. plans to develop a mini-city of gambling, hotel towers and luxury condominiums that would dramatically redefine the Atlantic City skyline. The estimated USD 4.5 billion to USD 5.5 billion project would mimic the company's huge USD 7.4 billion CityCenter project under construction on the Las Vegas Strip, although on a smaller scale, according to people familiar with the plans.

Getting customers in the door for a first look at a new casino is easy. Everybody wants to check out the new joint in town. Having the right game mix to keep the players coming back -- now that's a different matter. Modern gaming floors must be all things to all players if the seats are going to remain occupied. Novice and expert, budget player and high roller all have to be satisfied -- all with dashes of glitz and excitement, if you please.

Detroit -- The beds are made. The tables are set. And the poker chips are stacked. But as the USD 800 million MGM Grand Detroit casino, hotel and entertainment complex readies for its gala opening Tuesday, workers spent the weekend scurrying about the massive property, attending to last-minute details. On Sunday, workers checked ceiling lights, installed televisions, adjusted the hood over a grill at the restaurant Palette, and folded shirts at Essentials, a women's boutique.

Las Vegas - In the late 1970s, a baby-faced executive named Terrence Lanni had a tough time persuading banks to lend millions of dollars to build hotels and casinos in this fabled gambling mecca. "It was very difficult to get a loan back then," says Lanni, who was the young chief financial officer of Caesars World at the time. "It's a lot easier now, I can tell you that." Today, the 64-year-old Lanni is CEO of MGM Mirage (MGM), the No. 2 gaming-industry company in the USA, and lenders line up for his business.

Dubai World, which agreed to buy into MGM Mirage last month, is raising a USD 2.7 billion loan while its subsidiary Dubai Ports World is borrowing USD 2.5 billion, bankers familiar with the transaction said this week. Government-owned Dubai World said last month it would invest up to USD 5.2 billion in MGM by buying shares and half a Las Vegas project, making it a player in the biggest gambling destination in the United States.