MGM Resorts is currently constructing their second casino in Macau. For the MGM Cotai, the company plans on focusing on a tourist-friendly approach rather than on high rollers or career gamblers. The $3 billion resort needs to bring in traffic and the best way to do so will be to appeal to the mass-market gamblers.

The casino is not set to open until late 2016, with MGM China Holdings Ltd overseeing the development of the Cotai property. Officials of the property want to move away from VIPs, which continues to be an issue in Macau. VIP gamblers have shifted away from Macau, leaving a slump in their stead, of around $14 billion. The loss of the gamblers is so high that Macau has seen the lowest revenues in close to five years within just the last month.

A report by the Macau Business Daily showed that gaming revenues had dropped 33% in a year over year basis from MOP25.56 billion last year to MOP17.13 billion this year. Jim Murren is the CEO and Chairman of MGM who has commented that resort owners in Macau are struggling to stay in line with the business climate of Macau due to an economic slowdown of China. The number of visitors to China has been in decline as well as the anti-corruption efforts by President XI Jinping.

To help bring in VIP players, junket operators played a major role but have now been struggling to find players to visit Macau. With the MGM Cotai, the junket rooms will be smaller and the tables be used more productively, according to Murren.

The new casino in Cotai will be close to 1 million square feet bigger than the Macau casino owned by MGM. A mall will be included in the construction as well as restaurants inside the shopping facility. Catering to more nongaming activities, the property will also feature a venue which can be used for a nightclub, concert venue and ballroom.