Pansy Ho, daughter of Asian tycoon Stanley Ho, and MGM Mirage, one the largest gaming companies in the world, are ready to open their first casino in Macau on December 18. The joint venture invested more than $1.25 billion in the construction of the MGM Grand Macau, which started several months ago.

The hotel-casino will have 600 rooms, suites and villas, 375 gaming tables, 900 slot machines and 16 high-end private gambling salons. The complex also has a conservatory called Grand Praca that was designed following the principles of the traditional Portuguese architecture of the ex-colony.

“The opening will mark the beginning of a new era in Macau,” MGM Mirage Chief Executive Terry Lanni said. He also explained that 6,000 employees have been hired for the 35-story MGM Grand Macau Casino and Hotel, which means an important contribution to Macau’s growing economy.

“The resort represents the first of many the partnership will develop in Macau,” Pansy Ho explained. Up until now, MGM Grand Paradise Ltd. has already submitted a petition with Macau’s authorities to build a second complex on the Cotai Strip.