Despite these plans, the company still earns the majority of revenues from its Las Vegas operations.

A joint venture hotel in Shanghai is also set to open in 2015. The company owns a little more than half of its assets in China, through its 51%-owned MGM China, which completed a $1.4 billion IPO in 2011. MGM Resorts is also developing Bellagio, MGM Grand, and Skylofts hotels in Dubai that are expected to open in 2013. The property failed to meet high expectations, and has reported losses since it opened (in 2009, 2010, and 2011). Much of the company's woes come from the fact that its long-term debt is worth a staggering $13.6 billion, much of it incurred to finance its ambitious Cit圜enter project. The mega-resort, located on a 66-acre site between the company's Bellagio and Monte Carlo casinos on the Las Vegas strip, cost some $8.5 billion. Cit圜enter includes Aria Resort and Casino, the Vdara Hotel & Spa, the Mandarin Hotel & Luxury Residence complex, and the Crystals Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment mall. After several delays, Cit圜enter eventually opened as a joint venture with Dubai World (a holding company for the Persian Gulf state that manages the government of Dubai's business projects). Its profits also increased significantly in 2011 however, the company would have continued to report losses if not for an income tax benefit it received in the fourth quarter. MGM Resorts showed an improved earnings report in 2011 compared to a dismal 2010 overall revenue (excluding MGM China) increased by 4% compared to 2010, as the Las Vegas market began showing signs of recovery, the result of an uptick in travel and tourism there.

Internationally, it operates in China and Dubai. The company changed its name from MGM MIRAGE in 2010 to better reflect its family of hotel brands and its expanding global presence. Founder Kirk Kerkorian owns more than 20% of the firm. The company's more than 15 partially or wholly owned properties include some of the biggest names on the Las Vegas Strip, including MGM Grand, The Mirage, and the Monte Carlo, as well as Luxor, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay. MGM Resorts also owns or has a stake in other casinos in Nevada, as well as in Michigan (MGM Grand Detroit) and Mississippi (Beau Rivage). It's not your imagination - MGM Resorts International (formerly MGM MIRAGE) is one of the world's largest gaming firms.

Gold strike casino and resort