After delaying the opening of its MGM Cotai development several times, American casino giant MGM Resorts International has now reportedly declared that it intends to hold an ‘official grand opening ceremony’ for the new $3.46 billion Macau venue next month.
According to a report from GGRAsia, the revelation came from Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International’s local MGM China Holdings Limited subsidiary on Friday and detailed February 13 as the latest expected inauguration date.
Hong Kong-listed MGM China Holdings Limited already operates the nearby MGM Macau venue and had hoped to open its new MGM Cotai integrated casino resort in early-2016 but the property’s debut has been continually disrupted due to numerous factors including market uncertainty, the impact of August’s Typhoon Hato and the death in March of 2015 of a construction worker.
“On February 13, in anticipation of Chinese New Year, we will host the official grand opening ceremony and gala dinner to be officiated by our government officials and celebrated with our community and partners from all over the world who served an integral role in helping us successfully develop and bring this spectacular resort to the market,” reportedly read the January 5 statement from MGM China Holdings Limited.
GGRAsia reported that the casino at MGM Cotai is set to open with capacity for up to 500 gaming tables but MGM China Holdings Limited has continually declined to stipulate the specific offering that is due to be available.
Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer for MGM China Holdings Limited, reportedly declared via the Friday release that MGM Cotai has been ‘uniquely and meticulously designed’ specifically for the Macau market and will serve as an expression of his firm’s ‘commitment to supporting’ the former Portuguese enclave’s ‘continued evolution into a global destination for tourism and leisure’.