Melco PBL confirms the inauguration of Crown Macau on May 12

The original public opening date of May 9 has been moved to augment the opening festivities into one extraordinary event. Highlights will include a gala party for 1,700 invited guests featuring a live show produced by the internationally acclaimed Dragone Group, a spectacular fireworks display, and a chance for the first visitors to Crown Macau to win us$ 486,027 in prizes.

Lawrence Ho, CEO and Co-Chairman of the company, said: "We are very excited about the opening of Crown Macau. This is a major milestone for our company and is the culmination of over three years’ concerted effort and planning. I would like to extend a particular note of thanks for the hard work and dedication of the 4,000 Crown Macau employees."

The Dragone show will bring together more than 120 unique artists from around the world for an original one night only performance directed by Luc Petit. The company’s Artistic Director, Franco Dragone, is the creative talent behind some of the most successful shows on the Las Vegas Strip including O and Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, as well as Celine Dion’s A New Day and Le Reve.

MPEL’s decision to collaborate with Dragone to celebrate the opening of Crown Macau will act as a prelude to a permanent Dragone show in a purpose built performance venue at the City of Dreams, MPEL’s integrated casino resort and entertainment complex, the first phase of which is targeted to open in late 2008.

The gala party has been created by legendary New York event designer Robert Isabell, whose list of credits includes President Clinton’s inauguration and John F. Kennedy Jr’s wedding.

Crown Macau comprises a 36-storey tower containing approximately 17 thousand sqm of gaming space with approximately 220 gaming tables and more than 500 gaming machines.