Two Way Hard Three | Las Vegas Casino & Design Blog

February 6, 2007

MGM Grand Macau - Is Licensing Pansy Ho in Nevada A Problem for MGM?

Posted by Hunter

Well, we all know that MGM Mirage is planning to enter the Macau market with the under-construction MGM Grand Macau. Since MGM is not a concessionaire in Macau, they have to partner with someone that is or has a sub-concession... Well, they hooked up Pansy Ho, daughter of Macau old-timer Stanley Ho.

Stanley's well known to be a least a little on the sketchy side (some would say totally on the sketchy side). The question that's come up is if partnering with Pansy would allow Stanley any undue influence into her operations.

The Nevada gaming regulatory bodies are investigating Pansy's suitability as MGM Mirage is a multiple license holder in the Silver State. Will this be a problem? The licensing is taking longer than many expected - does that mean they've found some items they're not too happy with?

A couple of articles discussing related issues:
http://www.valleyblogs.com/mckee/2007-02-06/id_2057

and related to Pansy, brother Lawrence and Packer's media conglomerate:
http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,21170997-462,00.html

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Categories: Business of Gaming, MGM Resorts International, Macau Casinos and Hotels


Comments

Read archived comments (12 so far)
February 6, 2007 6:46 PM Posted by Pikes

Maybe She is a Dirty Ho...

February 7, 2007 11:03 AM Posted by BillyInLasVegas

I know that they had issues in New Jersey (NJ Gaming Board) and that the FBI has an extensive file on Stanley but so far I think the real hurdle may be the Michigan Gaming Board not NV.

February 9, 2007 4:46 AM Posted by detroit1051

Stanley Ho's Grand Lisboa opens Sunday. Ho is obviously a force to be reckoned with, but his influence will dramatically wane as Adelson, Wynn and MGM become this century's leaders in Macau.

"Casino mogul Stanley Ho strikes back at American gaming giants with new casino
The Associated Press
Friday, February 9, 2007"
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/09/business/AS-FEA-FIN-Macau-Casino-King.php

February 23, 2007 12:48 PM Posted by detroit1051

I'm sure MGM has greased the skids with the Gaming Board and Ho will be found suitable. Bill Weidner's quote in the article is interesting:
"Bill Weidner, whose company is building the rival Venetian Macau and already operates the Sands Macau less than a mile from MGM Mirage's soon-to-open property, told a reporter in 2005 that his company wouldn't partner with Stanley or Pansy Ho and that he thinks the elder Ho runs his daughter's businesses."
http://inbusinesslasvegas.com/2007/02/23/tourism.html

February 26, 2007 6:25 PM Posted by detroit1051

Wow!
Is this a right-wing dirty trick or is there something to it?
"The letter concludes by noting, �That the Triad continues to loan-shark in the VIP rooms of the casinos owned by the holding company in which Pansy Ho is a Director and Officer is beyond dispute, a fact that can be confirmed by the U.S. Department of State�s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Report of March 2006."
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/02/26/news/news_update/doc45e38bc6c3f42451732950.txt

February 26, 2007 6:57 PM Posted by Hunter

I'm trying to track down the Web site itself, to get a look at that document.

Anyone find it?

February 26, 2007 7:21 PM Posted by detroit1051

Hunter, I couldn't find the website and LV Business Press didn't provide a link. I'm sure the Ho's may be similar to "families" in Vegas in the '50s and '60s, but this sounds like a last minute smear campaign.

February 27, 2007 4:47 PM Posted by Hunter

She was found suitable:

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/02/27/news/news_update/doc45e4b3ee117e1346073232.txt

February 27, 2007 5:07 PM Posted by mike_ch

In Nevada, anyway. Did the NJ hearing ever happen or is that still in the air? NJ is notoriously particular about people's backgrounds.

Of course, Macao will make so much money that if she doesn't pass muster there MGM will probably just sell off it's stake in Borgata and the nearby lands. And there will be Bill Boyd with a big check.

March 2, 2007 10:32 PM Posted by Hunter

More info on the Pansy docs and how they might play in New Jersey:

http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/03/02/news/news_update/doc45e8c55923ecc724616523.txt

March 23, 2007 5:04 AM Posted by detroit1051

This is the last gasp. Pansy Ho/MGM's partnership will be approved.

"A San Francisco law firm is expected to use the public comment portion of Friday�s special meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission to read a statement from Macau casino magnate Stanley Ho�s younger sister, Winnie, criticizing MGM Mirage�s partnership with Stanley Ho�s daughter, Hong Kong business woman Pansy Ho."
http://www.lvbusinesspress.com/articles/2007/03/22/news/news_update/doc4603281601d1a963672308.txt

March 28, 2007 12:48 AM Posted by Bert

For the ones interested about MGM Grand and it's dealings with Pansy and Stanley Ho, this is a powerful must read!

As the news has come through that Pansy Ho was formally cleared by the Nevada gaming authorities, this interesting and quite revealing report about Pansy and Stanley Ho was published by Burke Hansen an Attorney at large in San Fransisco.

Read here => http://macaudailyblog.com/macau-casino/all-that-gold-that-glitters-in-macau-hos-is-still-in-the-money/