Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International has opened another hotel in China, via its Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality partnership with Chinese state-owned Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.
The MGM Shenzhen opened this week on the Hong Kong Peninsula. It sits on the northern side of the landmass, opposite from the main city and across the Zhujiang river estuary from the gambling hub of Macau.
Details of the launch were hard to come by in English. But Diaoyutai MGM confirmed the news on Chinese social media platform WeChat this week.
The opulent hotel overlooks Mirs Bay, with half the 321 suites and rooms offering sea views. It also features dozens of amenity options, including restaurants and bars, plus a theater, a kids club, heated swimming pools, and a full-service spa.
However, gambling is not on the list. In fact, MGM isn’t allowed to promote either of its multibillion-dollar Macau casinos at this new hotel.
MGM China
MGM operates two casinos in Macau, MGM Macau and MGM Cotai. In recent years, it has been aiming to expand its brand presence in China through hospitality operations, as it isn’t allowed to advertise its Macau casinos on the mainland, where gambling remains staunchly illegal.
MGM Shenzhen is the Nevada-based operator’s sixth hotel in China. The others are MGM Grand Saya, Mhub by MGM Nanjing Jiangning, MGM Qingdao, MGM Shanghai West Bund, and Bellagio Shanghai. All are in collaboration with Diaoyuatai State Guesthouse, the state-owned company that runs the royal guest house and gardens of the same name in Beijing.
That last one will be a familiar name to U.S. and Italian readers. That’s because it takes its name from MGM’s Bellagio Casino Resort in Las Vegas, which itself took its name from the Italian village and popular location spot on Lake Como.
MGM in Macau
MGM’s Macau casinos are smaller in scale than its Las Vegas operations. However, the popularity of high-limit gambling in Macau means they make almost as much money as MGM’s Sin City properties – and they’re growing faster.
In collaboration with its regional construction partner Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality, the operator plans to build at least four more MGM Hotels on the mainland in the coming years. That includes Wuhan, Hainan, and Yalong Bay.
Early in 2023, MGM China, which is completely separate from Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality, announced it would be investing $1.9 billion in nongambling related aspects of its operations in Macau. In return, it was granted a 10-year extension on its gaming license in the Chinese Special Administrative Region.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
