New Jersey Investigators Waste Three Years On Gambling Probe

MGM is hoping to partner with Stanley Ho's daughter Pansy in what will become a $1.25 billion casino in the new gambling capital of the world, Macau. MGM is waiting on New Jersey investigators to sign off on the deal.

The investigators do not appear like they are in any rush to give MGM the go ahead. The investigation into whether Pansy is independent of Stanley has been ongoing for three years. That's three years of work by investigators just to try and connect father and daughter.

Some criminal investigations do not go on for three years. While MGM waits, investigators continue to pry into anything they can get their hands on regarding the Ho's. So far, Pansy has passed the test.

"Pansy's track record as an independent businesswoman is impeccable and impressive. We expect a positive outcome whenever the (division) is ready to give it," said MGM spokesman Alan Feldman. Having already withstood three years, MGM has shown great patience in dealing with the probe.

The MGM group is waiting for the ruling because they are licensed in the state of New Jersey. They are currently running one casino in the state and have another on the way in Atlantic City.

Speculation exists that MGM only announced their plans for another Atlantic City casino to put pressure on the regulators to rule in favor of the project with Ho. With Atlantic City struggling, MGM holds some powerful cards in helping turn around the state of casinos in the city.



2008-07-26