MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGG) and Mandalay Resort Group (NYSE: MBG) today jointly announced that the Michigan Gaming Control Board has unanimously approved the transfer of Mandalay's indirect 53.53% ownership interest in the MotorCity Casino to an affiliate of Marian Ilitch. Mrs. Ilitch, through affiliates, currently owns a 25% interest in the casino. The MotorCity Casino is located in Detroit, Michigan, where a subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE owns and operates the MGM Grand Detroit Casino.
The transaction was entered into in light of applicable Michigan law, which precludes MGM MIRAGE from owning or operating more than one casino in Detroit. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions contained in the definitive agreement and will be completed immediately prior to and subject to the closing of MGM MIRAGE's merger with Mandalay, which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2005.
About MGM MIRAGE
MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGG), headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is one of the world's leading and most respected hotel and gaming companies. The Company owns and operates 11 casino resorts located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has investments in three other casino resorts in Nevada, New Jersey and the United Kingdom. For more information about MGM MIRAGE, please visit the company's website at http://www.mgmmirage.com/ .
About Mandalay Resort Group
Mandalay Resort Group owns and operates 11 properties in Nevada: Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, Circus Circus, and Slots-A-Fun in Las Vegas; Circus Circus -- Reno; Colorado Belle and Edgewater in Laughlin; Gold Strike and Nevada Landing in Jean and Railroad Pass in Henderson. The company also owns and operates Gold Strike, a hotel/casino in Tunica County, Mississippi. The company owns a 50% interest in Silver Legacy in Reno, and owns a 50% interest in and operates Monte Carlo in Las Vegas. In addition, the company owns a 50% interest in and operates Grand Victoria, a riverboat in Elgin, Illinois, and owns a 53.5% interest in and operates MotorCity in Detroit, Michigan.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about future financial and operating results and MGM MIRAGE's anticipated acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward- looking statements. The pertinent risk factors for each company can be found in its Form 10-K on file with the SEC.
SOURCE: MGM MIRAGE
CONTACT: investors, Jim Murren, President, CFO and Treasurer,
+1-702-693-8877, or media, Alan Feldman, Senior Vice President, Public
Affairs, +1-702-891-7147, both of MGM MIRAGE; or George Sard, or
Stephanie Pillersdorf, both of Citigate Sard Verbinnen, +1-212-687-8080, for
MGM MIRAGE; or Glenn Schaeffer, President and CFO of Mandalay Resort Group;
+1-702-632-6710, or Joele Frank of Joele Frank, Wilkinson, Brimmer, Katcher,
+1-212-355-4449, for Mandalay Resort Group
Web site: http://www.mandalayresortgroup.com/
Web site: http://www.mgmmirage.com/