Detroit casino to open July 27

Monday, July 12, 1999 | 10:56 a.m.

DETROIT -- MGM Grand Inc. of Las Vegas plans a star-studded party to mark the opening of its $206 million temporary Detroit casino July 26, and intends to open to the public July 27.

The Detroit News reported the gambling company hopes stars like Sharon Stone, Pierce Brosnan and Leonardo DiCaprio will attend the gala invitation-only pre-opening party.

The casino is connected to Hollywood through the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio. Both the casino company and the studio are controlled by billionaire Kirk Kerkorian.

The July 27 opening is contingent on the casino receiving its state license and the approval of Mayor Dennis Archer. MGM is expected to receive its state license July 20.

MGM Grand will be the first of Detroit's three casinos to open, marking the end of a 25-year struggle to bring casinos to Detroit.

The temporary casino will operate while MGM Grand spends about $800 million building a permanent hotel-casino over four years.

MGM Grand Chairman Terry Lanni told the Detroit News he doesn't like to call the casino temporary.

"To me, a temporary is a tent," Lanni said. "When you spend in excess of $200 million, I think it should be called an 'interim.' "